Quake Chasers - (Women of Power) by Lori Polydoros (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Sharing perspectives on their journeys into the physical sciences, these heroes provide readers with advice about overcoming adversity.

Quake Chasers: 15 Women Who Rock Earthquake Science explores the lives of 15 diverse, contemporary female scientists with a variety of specialties related to earthquake science.

Dr. Debbie Weiser travels to communities post-disaster, such as Japan and China, to evaluate earthquake damage in ways that might help save lives during the next Big One. Geologist Edith Carolina Rojas climbs to the top of volcanoes or searches barren deserts for volcanic evidence to measure seismic activity. Geophysicist Lori Dengler works with the National Weather Service and provided guidance to counties after the 2011 tsunami.

With tenacity, intellect, and innovation, these women have crushed obstacles in society, in the lab, and out in the field. Their accomplishments leave aftershocks as they work toward revealing answers to the many riddles that lie behind earthquakes, saving lives by teaching us how to prepare for these terrifying disasters.

Young scientists can take away inspiration and advice on following their own dreams like these inspiring women.

Review Quotes

"Despite incredible recent advances, much about the science of earthquakes remains puzzling and uncertain. But what this beguiling book makes abundantly clear is that the women studying these terrifying temblors are some of the most inspiring scientists around. Pick up a copy and get to know them." --Dr. Robin George Andrews, author of Super Volcanoes

"Readers of Quake Chasers meet women who have found a meaningful life in science in a variety of ways. They can see that a career helping people manage earthquakes can be researching how the earth moves or how people respond to that movement, or helping people prepare for that movement. The stories of these women show both a career and a life that can inspire future scientists." --Dr. Lucy Jones, expert seismologist, founder and chief scientist of the Dr. Lucy Jones Center for Science and Society

"Informative" -- Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

Lori Polydoros has been writing for children for over twenty years and educating for almost thirty. She currently teaches high school and community college English while writing for children. She is the author of books, articles, and short stories for newspapers, magazines, small presses, and educational publishers such as Capstone Press, Houghton-Mifflin, Reading A-Z, Highlights, and the Los Angeles Times Kids' Reading Room. She lives in Orange, California.