El Niño, history and crisis

"This book brings together the latest historical and scientific studies of the El Niño and its dramatic effects on past and present civilisations. Archaeological and written records form the basis for historical analysis of the major effects of El Niño events on world history. These records are complemented by modern meteorological records and by studies of coral reefs, tree rings and fossils. Further chapters provide detailed descriptions of the local effects of the disastrous 1997-1998 El Niño in Papua New Guinea and Indonesia, and offer timely warnings of the likely effects of future climate changes on agriculture and public health."--BOOK JACKET.