What processes and physical materials have shaped the planet we live on? Why do earthquakes happen? And what can geology teach us about contemporary issues such as climate change? From volcanoes and glaciers to fossils and rock formations, this user-friendly book gives a structured and thorough overview of the geology of planet Earth and beyond. Geology: A Complete Introduction outlines the basics in clear English, and provides added-value features like a glossary of the essential jargon terms, links to useful websites, and examples of questions you might be asked in a seminar or exam. Topics covered include the Earth's structure, earthquakes, plate tectonics, volcanoes, igneous intrusions, metamorphism, weathering, erosion, deposition, deformation, physical resources, past life and fossils, the history of the Earth, Solar System geology, and geological fieldwork. There are useful appendices on minerals, rock names and geological time. Whether you are preparing for an essay, studying for an exam or simply want to enrich your hobby or expand your knowledge, Geology: A Complete Introduction is your essential guide. David Rothery is a volcanologist, geologist, planetary scientist and Professor of Planetary Geosciences at the Open University. He has done fieldwork in the UK, USA, Australia, Oman, Chile and Central America, and visited many other parts of the world.
This Very Short Introduction looks deep into space and describes the worlds that make up our Solar System: terrestrial planets, giant planets, dwarf planets and various other objects such as satellites (moons), asteroids and Trans-Neptunian objects. It considers how our knowledge has advanced over the centuries, and how it has expanded at a growing rate in recent years. David A. Rothery gives an overview of the origin, nature, and evolution of our Solar System, including the controversial issues of what qualifies as a planet, and what conditions are required for a planetary body to be habitable by life. He looks at rocky planets and the Moon, giant planets and their satellites, and how the surfaces have been sculpted by geology, weather, and impacts. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
Proving to be both varied and fascinating, moons are far more common than planets in our Solar System. Our own Moon has had a profound influence on Earth, not only through tidal effects, but even on the behaviour of some marine animals. Many remarkable things have been discovered about the moons of the giant outer planets from Voyager, Galileo, Cassini, and other spacecraft. Scientists have glimpsed volcanic activity on Io, found oceans of water on Titan, and captured photos of icy geysers bursting from Enceladus. It looks likely that microbial life beyond the Earth may be discovered on a moon rather than a planet. In this Very Short Introduction David Rothery introduces the reader to the moons of our Solar System, beginning with the early discoveries of Galileo and others, describing their variety of mostly mythological names, and the early use of Jupiter's moons to establish position at sea and to estimate the speed of light. Rothery discusses the structure, formation, and influence of our Moon, and those of the other planets, and ends with the recent discovery of moons orbiting asteroids, whilst looking forward to the possibility of finding moons of exoplanets in planetary systems far beyond our own. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
TEACH YOURSELF PLANETS is a comprehensive guide to the Sun's family of planets and their moons, illustrating their surface features and explaining the processes that have shaped them. Extensively illustrated, this book describes the nature and origin of the solar system; looks at the internal structure, surface features and weather patterns of each planet and its major satellites; discusses the possibilities of finding life on other planetary bodies; covers asteroids and the icy bodies beyond Pluto; and explains how to see the planets in the sky.
How do volcanoes erupt, what makes earthquakes so destructive, and why do tsunamis happen? Volcanoes, Earthquakes and Tsunamis answers these questions and more, giving you everything you need to know about these powerful natural phenomena. It covers the plate tectonic background to Earth processes, where magma is made and how it erupts, volcano types, eruption hazards and how they are monitored, faults and earthquakes, the causes of tsunamis and tsunami preparedness. You will examine many examples of these frightening events, find out to what extent they can be predicted and mitigated against, and come to realize how they are related and the impact they have on human society and the natural world. Written by Dr David Rothery, a volcanologist, geologist, planetary scientist and Professor of Planetary Geosciences at the Open University, Volcanoes, Earthquakes and Tsunamis: A Complete Introduction is designed to give you everything you need to know, all in one place. It covers the key areas that students are expected to be confident in, outlining the basics in clear English and providing added-value features like a glossary of essential terms and even examples of questions you might be asked in your seminar or exam. The book covers the essentials of most university courses, with an introduction on how the Earth moves, followed by separate sections on volcanoes (including eruptions, types of volcano, volcanic hazards, volcanoes and climate, monitoring volcanoes, predicting eruptions and living with volcanoes), earthquakes (including faults, measurement, seismic monitoring, prediction, prevention and preparedness) and tsunamis. The colour plates referred to in the book can be downloaded from the Teach Yourself online library or accessed through the Teach Yourself Library app.
Geology - The Key Ideas is a definitive introduction to the nature and workings of the Earth. Extensively illustrated it covers everything from earthquakes and plate tectonics to the formation of rocks and minerals. With clear explanations of complex geological processes, and a glossary of specialist terms, this book will give you a new understanding of the planet we live on. NOT GOT MUCH TIME? One, five and ten-minute introductions to key principles to get you started. AUTHOR INSIGHTS Lots of instant help with common problems and quick tips for success, based on the author's many years of experience. EXTEND YOUR KNOWLEDGE Extra online articles at www.teachyourself.com to give you a richer understanding. THINGS TO REMEMBER Quick refreshers to help you remember the key facts.
Extensively revised and updated, this new edition of David A. Rothery's acclaimed geological guide to the outer solar system includes results and close-up color and black and white images from both the 1995-1999 Galileo mission to Jupiter and the Voyager space probe. Rothery, a noted planetary scientist, explains the geological aspects of the major satellites of the outer planets, from Jupiter to Neptune and the Pluto-Charon system. In particular he shows how tectonic and volcanic processes, driven by heat from within, have shaped the rigid outer layers of these worlds. Rothery also discusses the similarities and differences among them and the ways in which they resemble Earth-like planets. This fascinating book is written in an introductory style ideal for first- or second-year college courses. Amateur geologists and astronomers will also find its insights rewarding.
Teach Yourself Volcanoes, Earthquakes and Tsunamis is the essential guide to these fascinating natural hazards. These three phenomena pose the most frightening geological events with which we inhabitants of planet earth have to contend. This book focuses on plate tectonics before delving into the intricacies of each one of these hazards so that you soon have a clear understanding of what causes them, how they relate to each other, how they can be predicted and ultimately, their effects and consequences. Each aspect is explained in a jargon-free and accessible style, ensuring that often complex concepts and theories are easy to get to grips with.
Whether you are interested in fossils, the evolution of the Earth or where your oil comes from, this book uncovers all Understand Geology is a fascinating guide to the nature and history of the Earth. Whether you want to find out why volcanoes and earthquakes happen, where fossils and minerals come from or how the Earth has evolved into its present form, this book will give you straightforward explanations. Packed with helpful photographs and diagrams and with a glossary of specialist terms it is ideal whether you a student on a course or simply want to know more about the planet that you live on! Also included: Updated information on recent eruptions, earthquakes and tsunamis Tthe effects of climate change The latest research on the geology of other planets One and five-minute introductions to key principles to get you started Lots of instant help with common problems and quick tips for success, based on the author’s many years of experience Tests in the book and online to keep track of your progress Extra online articles at www.teachyourself.com to give you a richer understanding of the basics of geology Topics include: A mighty matter of legend, The solid Earth, Earthquakes, Plate tectonics, Volcanoes, Igneous intrusions, Metamorphism, Erosion and transport, Deposition of sedimentary rocks, Deformation of rocks, Physical resources, Past life and fossils, A short history of the Earth, Geology on other planets, Going into the field
A new and detailed picture of Mercury is emerging thanks to NASA’s MESSENGER mission that spent four years in orbit about the Sun’s innermost planet. Comprehensively illustrated by close-up images and other data, the author describes Mercury’s landscapes from a geological perspective: from sublimation hollows, to volcanic vents, to lava plains, to giant thrust faults. He considers what its giant core, internal structure and weird composition have to tell us about the formation and evolution of a planet so close to the Sun. This is of special significance in view of the discovery of so many exoplanets in similarly close orbits about their stars. Mercury generates its own magnetic field, like the Earth (but unlike Venus, Mars and the Moon), and the interplay between Mercury’s and the Sun’s magnetic field affects many processes on its surface and in the rich and diverse exosphere of neutral and charged particles surrounding the planet. There is much about Mercury that we still don’t understand. Accessible to the amateur, but also a handy state-of-the-art digest for students and researchers, the book shows how our knowledge of Mercury developed over the past century of ground-based, fly-by and orbital observations, and looks ahead at the mysteries remaining for future missions to explore.
Learn about nature's most feared phenomena Volcanoes, earthquakes, and tsunamis are the three deadliest natural events humans must contend with. Beginning with the basics of plate tectonics, this accessible guide educates you on how these hazards can be predicted, how they are interrelated, and what their catastrophic consequences are.
Focusing on the Earth's internal processes, this unit encompasses processes that occur below the Earth's surface or that are driven from below. Topics covered: plate tectonics; melting; intrusive and volcanic rocks; igneous provinces; metamorphism; rock structures; rock-deforming processes; how structures form and tectonic environments.
A stimulating and accessible introduction to astronomy for students of astronomy or physics and the general science reader. This book is illustrated in full colour throughout and includes satellite photographs, many of them taken by NASA. It also provides the reader with star maps.
Unique interdisciplinary approach enables readers to overcome complex design challenges Integrating concepts from chemistry, physics, materials science, metallurgy, and ceramics, Principles of Inorganic Materials Design, Second Edition offers a unique interdisciplinary approach that enables readers to grasp the complexities of inorganic materials. The book provides a solid foundation in the principles underlying the design of inorganic materials and then offers the guidance and tools needed to create specific materials with desired macroscopic properties. Principles of Inorganic Materials Design, Second Edition begins with an introduction to structure at the microscopic level and then progresses to smaller-length scales. Next, the authors explore both phenomenological and atomistic-level descriptions of transport properties, the metal?nonmetal transition, magnetic and dielectric properties, optical properties, and mechanical properties. Lastly, the book covers phase equilibria, synthesis, and nanomaterials. Special features include: Introduction to the CALPHAD method, an important, but often overlooked topic More worked examples and new end-of-chapter problems to help ensure mastery of the concepts Extensive references to the literature for more in-depth coverage of particular topics Biographies introducing twentieth-century pioneers in the field of inorganic materials science This Second Edition has been thoroughly revised and updated, incorporating the latest findings and featuring expanded discussions of such key topics as microstructural aspects, density functional theory, dielectric properties, mechanical properties, and nanomaterials. Armed with this text, students and researchers in inorganic and physical chemistry, physics, materials science, and engineering will be equipped to overcome today's complex design challenges. This textbook is recommended for senior-level undergraduate and graduate course work.
Focusing on the Earth's internal processes, this unit encompasses processes that occur below the Earth's surface or that are driven from below. Topics covered: plate tectonics; melting; intrusive and volcanic rocks; igneous provinces; metamorphism; rock structures; rock-deforming processes; how structures form and tectonic environments.
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