This three-volume set contains 100 lively articles that explore the science behind some of the worst global disasters of the 20th and 21st centuries. Topics cover structural and engineering failures, natural disasters, nuclear and industrial accidents, sinking ships, train derailments, and plane crashes. Students will learn about the scientific principles behind disasters such as the cholera outbreak following the 2010 earthquake in Haiti; the levee failure during Hurricane Katrina; the release of toxic vapors from a pesticide plant in Bhopal, India; the explosion of the space shuttle Challenger, and much more. Entries explore physics, engineering, aerodynamics, chemical reactions, computer science, geology, materials science, and more.
Part of Gale's popular U�X�L line for middle school readers, the set is full color and features 150 images and illustrations; approximately 25 primary source excerpts; a cumulative glossary; chronology; general bibliography; and subject index.