Progradation of Atchafalaya Delta, one of the most dynamic geological events of the century, has produced a sizable new sand body on the Louisiana coast. Evolution of depositional environments in Atchafalaya Bay has been determined from analysis of sediment cores and bathymetric surveys. Use of X-ray radiography has made possible recognition of a number of subenvironments within major environments. Atchafalaya Delta exhibits all the sedimentary environments recorded in earlier Mississippi delta lobes. However, excellent stratigraphic control and current knowledge of the processes of deposition in Atchafalaya Bay make it possible to better link process-response in this than in other Mississippi subdeltas. In contrast to the modem Mississippi subdelta, the Atchafalaya should prograde more rapidly, form thinner sand bodies, and eventually cover a wider area, much like the Lafourche, St. Bernard, and Teche delta lobes. <...>

For all man’s achievements over the past centuries, every now and then we’re reminded that ultimately, we’re all at the mercy of nature. In seconds, something that has remained dormant for decades can suddenly awaken, destroying a city and demolishing everything in its path. A calm day can quickly turn to catastrophe as the ground shakes and buildings crumble. In this book, we take a detailed look at two of nature’s most powerful forces; volcanoes and earthquakes. Explaining how and why they occur, you’ll discover how they affect our lives, and how they shape our landscape. Packed with illustrations and incredible images of the damage they can do, you’ll also fi nd case studies from Etna and Vesuvius to Christchurch and Haiti. So read on to learn more about the deadly power of the natural world

More than 80% of the Earth's surface is of volcanic origin, testifying that volcanism was a dominant process in the creation and evolution of our planet. From a human standpoint, volcanic eruptions have engendered fear, superstition, fascination, and scientific curiosity. Since the emergence of volcanology as a science in the nineteenth century, the question of "How Volcanoes Work" has been considered by many minds, particularly in the wake of the well-publicized and documented catastrophic 1883 eruption of Krakatau (Indonesia) recently reviewed by $imkin and Fiske [1983]. However, many more decades were to pass before scientists could begin to address seriously this fundamental question: by undertaking the needed systematic, long-term studies of volcanoes, in addition to short-term expeditions in response to specific volcanic events.