Victor R. Baker – Författare

Describes and analyzes global causes, effects and dynamics of floods and includes methods for related environmental management. Reviews recent advances in the interdisciplinary study of floods and their effects on landforms, sediments, human works, and populations. Covers the use of morphometric parameters of drainage basins and establishes standard procedures for measuring geomorphically significant variables following a major flood. Specific chapters present data on the neglected topic of sedimentation in bedrock fluvial systems, and discuss, from the viewpoint of Holocene stratigraphy, common alluvial systems leading to flood plains. Includes numerous photos, illustrations and diagrams of flood effects around the world.

Palaeohydrological research is a comparatively recent development. However, research undertaken has already demonstrated a significant multidisciplinary impact and shown how palaeohydrology can provide an important contribution to the study of global change. Although a considerable amount of exciting palaeohydrological research has been applied to particular areas, there has not previously been a systematic approach to research into the palaeohydrology of the Earth s surface. It was for this reason that a Commission was established by INQUA in 1991 on Global Continental Palaeohydrology. This volume provides the background to that exciting international research project and has been written to provide a basis for understanding the current state of research into the palaeohydrology of the land surface of the Earth. It therefore gives a summary of the work achieved to date and of the research investigations currently taking place, together with an indication of the way in which palaeohydrological research relates to other global research programmes.

Palaeohydrology and Environmental Change presents the most recent advances in the study of global changes in the hydrological regime during the last 20000 years. The book brings together new contributions; on regional palaeohydrology with case studies from all over the world; and on new methodologies and techniques used on palaeohydrological reconstructions. There are several key points that make this book an essential review to the international scientific community:* The major emphasis is on areas very sensitive to climate changes such as the Mediterranean, Tundra regions and the Tropical Zones of Asia, Africa and America.* New interdisciplinary methodologies in reconstructing palaeohydrological changes including palaeoecology, pollen and lichen analysis, identification of anthropogenic stressors and changes in climate circulation regimes.* Modelling studies; conceptual and mesoscale models for reconstructing palaeoenvironments during the Quaternary.This book will be a valuable reference work for all professionals and students interested in quaternary environmental, climatic and hydrological history including those in the fields of geology, geography, hydrology, biogeography, archaeology, and environmental sciences.

Megaflooding is the sudden discharge of exceptional volumes of water. Megafloods have significantly altered the terrain of Earth and Mars, and may have acted as triggers for climate change on these planets. Recently, research into megaflooding has made important advances: on Earth, real-time measurements of contemporary floods in Iceland complement research into older and larger terrestrial floods, while on Mars terabytes of data from several spacecraft orbiting that planet are dramatically revising our view of flooding there. Beginning with a historical overview of flood science, the book presents sections on morphology and mechanisms, flood sedimentology, and modelling, each illustrated with examples from Earth and Mars. By juxtaposing terrestrial and Martian research, this volume creates a unique synthesis to further our understanding of these enormous paleoflood events. It is an invaluable reference for researchers and students of hydrology, geomorphology, sedimentology and planetary science, as well as environmental and hydraulic engineers.