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Elsevier

Books in Earth and planetary sciences

Elsevier's Earth and Planetary Sciences collection brings together pioneering research on the complexities of our planet and beyond. Covering topics from Earth's structural dynamics and ecosystems to planetary exploration, these titles support advancements in geoscience, environmental science, and space studies, offering essential insights for researchers, professionals, and students.

  • Developments in the Theory and Practice of Cybercartography

    Applications and Indigenous Mapping
    • 2nd Edition
    • Volume 4
    • D.R. Fraser Taylor
    • English
    Developments in the Theory and Practice of Cybercartography—awa... an Honorable Mention in Earth Science at the Association of American Publishers' 2015 PROSE Awards—examines some of the recent developments in the theory and practice of cybercartography and the substantial changes which have taken place since the first edition published in 2005. It continues to examine the major elements of cybercartography and emphasizes the importance of interaction between theory and practice in developing a paradigm which moves beyond the concept of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Geographical Information Science.Cybercartogr... is a new paradigm for maps and mapping in the information era. Defined as "the organization, presentation, analysis and communication of spatially referenced information on a wide variety of topics of interest to society," cybercartography is presented in an interactive, dynamic, multisensory format with the use of multimedia and multimodal interfaces.The seven major elements of cybercartography outlined in the first edition have been supplemented by six key ideas and the definition of cybercartography has been extended and expanded. The new practice of mapping traditional knowledge in partnership with indigenous people has led to new theoretical understanding as well as innovative cybercartographic atlases. Featuring more than 90% new and revised content, this volume is a result of a multidisciplinary team effort and has benefited from the input of partners from government, industry and aboriginal non-governmental organizations.

  • Seismic Fracture Characterization

    Concepts and Practical Applications
    • 1st Edition
    • Enru Liu
    • English
    During the last three decades, seismic anisotropy has evolved from a purely academic research topic into applications in the mainstream of applied geophysics. Today, nobody doubts that the earth is anisotropic and most (if not all) hydrocarbon reservoirs are anisotropic. Since shale accounts for 70% of sedimentary basins and fractures exist in all reservoirs, seismic anisotropy may be even more extensive than we think. Taking anisotropy into account in seismic processing has improved the quality of seismic images, even though it makes seismic processing more challenging since additional parameters are needed. At the same time, fracture characterization using the concept of seismic anisotropy has added value in reservoir characterization, reservoir management, and has increased recovery and optimized well locations. This book and the associated course provide an introduction to the fundamental concepts of seismic fracture characterization by introducing seismic anisotropy, equivalent-medium representation theories of fractured rock and methodologies for extracting fracture parameters from seismic data. We focus on practical applications using extensive field data examples.

  • Stratigraphic Reservoir Characterization for Petroleum Geologists, Geophysicists, and Engineers

    • 2nd Edition
    • Volume 61
    • Roger M. Slatt
    • English
    Reservoir characterization as a discipline grew out of the recognition that more oil and gas could be extracted from reservoirs if the geology of the reservoir was understood. Prior to that awakening, reservoir development and production were the realm of the petroleum engineer. In fact, geologists of that time would have felt slighted if asked by corporate management to move from an exciting exploration assignment to a more mundane assignment working with an engineer to improve a reservoir’s performance. Slowly, reservoir characterization came into its own as a quantitative, multidisciplinary endeavor requiring a vast array of skills and knowledge sets. Perhaps the biggest attractor to becoming a reservoir geologist was the advent of fast computing, followed by visualization programs and theaters, all of which allow young geoscientists to practice their computing skills in a highly technical work environment. Also, the discipline grew in parallel with the evolution of data integration and the advent of asset teams in the petroleum industry. Finally, reservoir characterization flourished with the quantum improvements that have occurred in geophysical acquisition and processing techniques and that allow geophysicists to image internal reservoir complexities.

  • Precambrian Evolution of the North China Craton

    • 1st Edition
    • Guochun Zhao
    • English
    The North China Craton is one of the oldest cratonic blocks in the world, containing rocks as old as 3.85 billion years. Focusing on Neoarchean mantle plumes and Paleoproterozoic plate tectonics, this book combines the results from modern geological research to provide you with a detailed synthesis of the geology, structure, and evolution of the North China Craton. It will be of value to anyone interested in the evolution of cratonic blocks and Precambrian geology as well as geoscientists interested in applying tectonic models to other cratonic blocks globally. This work will also be of interest to geologists concerned with the problems of structure and evolution of the Precambrian continents and supercontinents.

  • Geochemical Prospecting for Thorium and Uranium Deposits

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 16
    • R.W. Boyle
    • English
    Developments in Economic Geology, 16: Geochemical Prospecting for Thorium and Uranium Deposits focuses on the analysis of various geochemical methods applicable in the search for all types of thorium and uranium deposits. The publication first ponders on the general chemistry and geochemistry of thorium and uranium, deposits of thorium and uranium and their indicator elements, and geochemical prospecting for thorium and uranium. Discussions focus on radiation surveys, selection of areas, primary mineralization, supergene oxidation, and secondary enrichment of endogenic thorium and uranium deposits, and equilibrium in the natural radioactive series. The book then ponders on lithochemical, pedochemical, hydrochemical, and biogeochemical surveys of the geochemical prospecting for thorium and uranium. Topics include heavy and light mineral surveys of stream, river, pond, and lake sediments, detailed litochemical surveys utilizing primary halos, and case histories. The text takes a look at sampling procedures and analytical methods for estimating thorium and uranium and miscellaneous methods and atmochemical surveys on the geochemical prospecting for thorium and uranium, including isotopic methods, remote sensing and geothermal methods, and liquid inclusion and thermoluminescent methods. The book is a valuable source of data for researchers wanting to explore geochemical prospecting for thorium and uranium deposits.

  • Mechanics of Particulate Materials

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 30
    • J. Feda
    • English
    Mechanics of Particulate Materials

  • Graphics Gems

    • 1st Edition
    • Paul S. Heckbert
    • English
    Graphics Gems IV contains practical techniques for 2D and 3D modeling, animation, rendering, and image processing. The book presents articles on polygons and polyhedral; a mix of formulas, optimized algorithms, and tutorial information on the geometry of 2D, 3D, and n-D space; transformations; and parametric curves and surfaces. The text also includes articles on ray tracing; shading 3D models; and frame buffer techniques. Articles on image processing; algorithms for graphical layout; basic interpolation methods; and subroutine libraries for vector and matrix algebra are also demonstrated. Computer engineers and designers will find the book invaluable.

  • Structural Geology: Fundamentals and Modern Developments

    • 1st Edition
    • S.K. Ghosh
    • English
    Presents a comprehensive and up-to-date account of the fundamental aspects of structural geology, emphasising both classical concepts and modern developments. A detailed account of the techniques of geometrical analysis is provided, giving a sound background to principles of geological deformation and in-depth analysis of mechanisms of formation of geological structures. Many new features are included such as detailed discussions on rotation of rigid inclusions and passive markers, boudinage (including chocolate tablet boudins, foliation boudins and shear fracture boudins), structural implications of basement-cover relations and time-relation between crystallation and deformation. The book presents the methods of structural analysis from microscopic to map scale, describes modern techniques used in field and laboratory and offers a balanced picture of modern structural geology as it emerges from combined field, experimental and theoretical studies.

  • Case Studies in Oceanography and Marine Affairs

    Prepared by an Open University Course Team
    • 1st Edition
    • Joan Brown
    • Gerry Bearman
    • English
    This is the last volume in the six-volume Open University set. Each volume is required by students as a relevant part of the Open University course but designed so that it can equally be used as an individual textbook. This volume differs from the others in the series in that it does not draw specifically upon traditional scientific disciplines. The first part of the book provides an historical review of the Law of the Sea culminating in the present day situation. The second part is devoted to two case studies, covering not only the scientific aspects of a particular oceanographic environment, but also the social, political and legal consequences and implications of human interactions with that environment. Each volume in this set is well laid out and copiously illustrated with full colour photographs. Questions to help develop arguments can be found in the text with answers provided at the back. Each chapter concludes with a summary to help consolidate understanding before proceeding with the next section.

  • Atmospheric Transmission, Emission and Scattering

    • 1st Edition
    • Thomas G. Kyle
    • English
    Introduces the physical processes and meteorology required to understand the behaviour of light and radiation in the atmosphere. Integrating the treatment of atmospheric optics from the ultraviolet to the microwave, the book presents a detailed overview, together with discussions, on the associated meteorology and atmospheric composition, which gives the meteorological background necessary to deal with the varying conditions found in the real atmosphere. Mathematical details provide a concise description of results thus allowing readers with a knowledge of meteorology or a single wavelength region to comprehend the transmission, emission and scattering in all wavelength regions. Rayleigh and Mie scattering are covered as well as the aerosol and raindrop distributions found in the atmosphere. Detailed models of the atmosphere and the distribution of trace gases are supplied, and finally a chapter is devoted to standardised software and available data bases.

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