Hurricanes, Storms, and Tornadoes: Geographic Characteristics and Geological Activity

Abstract

This book is very disappointing. From the presentation the potential reader might expect to obtain a clear view of the origin of hurricanes, storms, and tornados. Except for some aspects, such as the effect of these phenomena on geological activity, for which some interesting ideas are discussed, the book is a long catalog of destructive weather systems and just describes the different aspects of the phenomena without physical explanations. For example, in the part discussing tornados, it looks like the author put together newspaper clips from some county in Oklahoma, except that the collection is worldwide. The interest lies, maybe, in the large number of illustrations: some of them are reproductions of paintings and drawings dating from the last century. A large number of events are thoroughly described. Another interesting part is the description of tornados that affected the Soviet Union and Europe. Throughout the book there is a large number of duplicate material. Some words are misused: for example, sandstorms originating in the Sahara desert and crossing the Mediterranean Sea are often called hurricanes. A tornado that hit Moscow in May 1937 is referred to as a hurricane. In defense of the author, it must be noted that the book was written in 1969 and only translated in 1983. Another title would be more appropriate.