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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.

  • Photogeology and Regional Mapping

    • 1st Edition
    • J. A. E. Allum
    • Robert Maxwell
    • English
    Photogeology and Regional Mapping covers the geological interpretation of aerial photographs, the compilation of the interpretations on to maps, the use of aerial photographs in the field, and the use of aerial photography for the production of the final geological map. This book is organized into 10 chapters and starts with an introduction to the aerial photograph. The subsequent chapters deal with the properties of the aerial photograph, including the scale, parallax and their difference. These chapters also survey the process of stereoscopy, the stereoscopic vision, pseudoscopic vision, and setting up the aerial photographs. These topics are followed by discussions on interpretation of the aerial photographs encoded into a map. Other chapters describe the production of the photogeological map and field mapping with the use of aerial photographs. The last chapters consider the compilation of the encoded aerial photographs made into maps and the photogrammetry for geologists that explains the minor control plot, detail plotting, measurement of height differences using a stereometer. This book will be of value to geologists.
  • Progress in Surface and Membrane Science

    Volume 9
    • 1st Edition
    • D. A. Cadenhead + 2 more
    • English
    Progress in Surface and Membrane Science, Volume 9 covers the developments in surface and membrane science. The book discusses the physical adsorption of gases and vapors in micropores; the chemisorption theory; and the role of radioisotopes in the studies of chemisorption and catalysis. The text also describes the interaction of ions with monolayers; and the isolation and characterization of mycoplasma membranes. Chemists, physical chemists, and microbiologists will find the book useful.
  • Isotope Chronostratigraphy

    Theory and Methods
    • 1st Edition
    • Douglas F. Williams + 2 more
    • English
    Isotope Chronostratigraphy: Theory and Methods covers the concept of isotope chronostratigraphy. The book discusses the principles of interpretation, the methodology, as well as the synthesis of the oxygen and carbon isotope records of the Tertiary. The text also describes the detailed studies of the tertiary delta 18O and delta 13 C records by epoch; the stable isotopic evidence for and against sea level changes during the cenozoic; and the prospects for applying isotope chronostratigraphy to exploration wells. The paleobathymetric models using the delta 18O of foraminifera; the empirical approaches to isotope chronostratigraphy; and the quantitative methods of analysis are also considered. The book further tackles the semblance methods; the filter and deconvolution techniques; the frequency domain methods; and the maximum entropy and Q-model methods. Petroleum geologists and stratigraphers will find the text invaluable.
  • Empirical Metallogeny

    Depositional Environments, Lithologic Associations and Metallic Ores
    • 1st Edition
    • Peter Laznicka
    • English
    Empirical Metallogeny: Depositional Environments, Lithologic Associations, and Metallic Ores, Vol. 1: Phanerozoic Environments, Associations, and Deposits, Part B focuses on the composition, characteristics, properties, and reactions of Phanerozoic metallic ore deposits. The book first offers information on intracrustal and subcrustal environments and plutonic granite, diorite, (gabbro) association (GDG) and its aureole. Discussions focus on petrography, origin, and setting of GDG plutonic rocks; mineralization styles associated with Phanerozoic (higher-level) granite, diorite, (gabbro) association; copper skarns and carbonate replacements; and magnetite skarn and replacement deposits. Manganese, uranium, antimony, mercury, and arsenic deposits, hydrothermal iron ores, and hydrothermal-plutoni... silver deposits are also discussed. The publication also takes a look at high- to medium-grade metamorphosed terrains, katazonal granites and pegmatites and continental fragmentation, rifts, and paleo-rifts. Topics include examples of modern rift and taphrogenic systems; mineralization styles in and related to the zone of ultrametamorphism and granitization; and petrography, origin, and setting of high-grade metamorphic terrains. The text is a valuable reference for readers interested in the study of Phanerozoic metallic ore deposits.
  • Clays and Clay Minerals

    Proceedings of the Fourteenth National Conference, Berkeley, California
    • 1st Edition
    • S. W. Bailey
    • English
    Clays and Clay Minerals documents the proceedings of the 14th National Conference in Berkeley, California. This book focuses on the structure and quantitative analysis, surface reactivity, genesis, and synthesis of clays and clay minerals. Topics discussed include status of clay mineral structures; layer charge relations in clay minerals of micaceous soils and sediments; mechanical force fields in a clay mineral particle system; and kinetics of decomposition of cobalt coordination complexes on montmorillonite surfaces. The factors affecting the frequency distribution of clay minerals in soils; stability of brucite in the weathering zone of the new Idria serpentinite; and interrelationships of physical and chemical properties of kaolinites are also elaborated in this publication. This compilation is beneficial to students and researchers conducting work on clay mineral studies.
  • Earth and Cosmos

    A Book Relating the Environment of Man on Earth to the Environment of Earth in the Cosmos
    • 1st Edition
    • Robert S. Kandel
    • English
    Earth and Cosmos presents a comprehensive view of the many connections between the environment of Man on Earth and the environment of the Earth in the cosmos. Topics covered range from matter, radiation, and the basic forces of nature to Earth's relation to the universe, the galaxy, and the sun. The energy balance and global circulation of the atmosphere are also discussed, along with continents, oceans, and climate. This book is comprised of 13 chapters and begins with an overview of the environment of Man on Earth, with emphasis on the Earth's chemical composition and how it is related to both cosmic and terrestrial processes; the radiation environment at the Earth's surface and above; how the atmosphere interacts with both solar and terrestrial radiation; and climate. The following chapters explore matter, radiation, and the laws of nature in relation to the universe; how the terrestrial environment is related to the structure of the universe as a whole; how the composition of the solar system and the Earth reflects the history of the galaxy; and the stability of the Earth's environment. The origins of life on Earth and the impact of human activities on the planet are also considered. The last chapter speaks of the future of humanity, and notably of the problem of the population explosion and its consequences. This monograph will be of interest to students, astronomers, planetary scientists, astrophysicists, biologists, chemists, and geologists.
  • Transformation of Petroleum in Nature

    International Series of Monographs in Earth Sciences
    • 1st Edition
    • P. F. Andreev + 2 more
    • Dean Earl Ingerson
    • English
    Transformation of Petroleum in Nature is a a comprehensive account of the thermodynamic principles governing petroleum transformations in nature. Topics covered range from the dependence of petroleum properties on geologic-geochemical conditions to processes of spontaneous alteration of organic matter. A considerable section of the book is devoted to the thermodynamic transformation of hydrocarbons. Comprised of nine chapters, this volume begins with an overview of the connection between the properties of petroleum and its geologic age, as well as the basic aspects of the natural phenomenon and the many observed deviations from this basic phenomenon. The role played by a number of catalysts in connection with the transformable material is also considered, along with geochemical transformations of petroleum during the process of migration into the reservoir rocks. Subsequent chapters focus on the phenomenology of spontaneous transformation processes of organic matter; thermodynamics of low-temperature transformation of hydrocarbons; oxidative transformations of petroleum in nature; and the significance of clays in the formation and conversion of petroleum in the earth's crust. The thermocatalytic transformations of heterogeneous organic compounds are also analyzed. This book will be of interest to petroleum geologists and geochemists.
  • Lunar Science: A Post - Apollo View

    Scientific Results and Insights from the Lunar Samples
    • 1st Edition
    • Stuart Ross Taylor
    • English
    Lunar Science: A Post-Apollo View: Scientific Results and Insights from the Lunar Samples examines the scientific data and discoveries provided by the manned Apollo lunar missions as they are understood. The interpretative aspects of the study are given emphasis in order to present a coherent story of the evolution and origin of the moon based on the lunar samples collected by Apollo. This text has seven chapters; the first of which discusses studies and observations of the moon, particularly its surface, prior to Apollo. Attention then turns to the beginning of the Apollo missions, six of which were successful and one was aborted. The next chapter outlines the broad framework of the lunar landscape and the stratigraphic relations, focusing on lunar topography and other geologic features such as craters, rilles, central peaks and peak rings, wrinkle ridges, and maria lava flows. The reader is also introduced to the nature of the moon's surface, highlighting features such as microcraters and micrometeorites, along with maria basalts, the highlands, and the lunar interior. A chapter on the state of knowledge about the evolution and origin of the moon based on evidence gathered by the Apollo missions concludes the book. An epilogue assesses the usefulness of manned space flight. This book will be valuable to lunar scientists as well as to those with an interest in astronomy and space exploration.
  • Advances in Hydroscience

    Volume 2
    • 1st Edition
    • Ven Te Chow
    • English
    Advances in Hydroscience, Volume 2 is a five-chapter text that considers the significant advances in various fields of hydroscience. Chapter 1 deals with the basic concept, hydrodynamics, methods of study, and case history of tsunami, while Chapter 2 focuses on chemical geohydrology, which treats the portion of the hydrological cycle that relates the chemical character of water to its environment. Chapter 3 concerns a subject in biohydrodynamics, namely, the hydrodynamic behavior of dolphins, with an emphasis of its application in controlling the natural environment. Chapter 4 describes the interaction of modern hydrodynamic analyses and experimental investigations, which has placed the design of complex hydraulic structures, such as ship locks. Chapter 5 discusses the modern technique of replenishing ground water by recharge, which has been practiced with great success in Los Angeles, California, and many other places around the world. This book will be of great value to hydrologists, scientists, and researchers who are interested in the interdisciplinary field of hydroscience.
  • Geology

    The Made Simple Series
    • 2nd Edition
    • William H. Matthews
    • English
    Geology gives a detailed study of rock-forming minerals and the rocks that are formed by it. The text analyses the forces which act on and within rocks. This subject belongs to physical geology. Historical geology is also covered in the book. This study explores the fossil content of the rock and reconstructs the earth’s history over the past million years. The subjects encourage the reader to go out and examine his surroundings. First chapter of the book focuses on the description of earth. Topics such as the shape, size, and motions of the earth are discussed. The second chapter of the text covers the chemical composition of minerals. Crystal system, crystallography, and crystal habits are included in the chapter. The physical properties and different types of minerals are also analyzed. Volcanism and all aspects of volcanoes are reviewed. The formation of soil and weathering is the topic of another chapter. The book will provide useful information to geologists, mineralogists, volcanologists, students and researchers of geology.