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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.

  • Surveying Instruments and their Operational Principles

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 62
    • L. Fialovszky
    • English
    The book gives a detailed theoretical background of the constructional principles of instruments necessary for the most general tasks of surveying. Undergraduate and graduate students will find it very useful in surveying studies to get acquainted with the broad variety of instruments, both classical and new ones. At the same time, specialists in surveying will also find the book full of new material. The book contains about 600 pictures, including photographs and detailed descriptions of the most representative types of instrumentation. Older types of instruments already out of use, or used only occasionally, are described in broad outline, mentioning basic principles, methods of testing and possibilities for their modernization. New categories of instruments, such as gyroscopes, compensation levelling instruments, electronic theodolites, distance meters and tacheometers, are dealt with in more detail. Care has been taken to include the automation which is rapidly spreading in all fields of instrument manufacture, being necessary to reduce manual operations.The book is intended for builders, architects, technicians, teachers of surveying and professional manufacturers.
  • Waste Disposal in Rock

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 76
    • R. Pusch
    • English
    This is an overview of all the important issues involved in selecting suitable sites, design and construction methods for preparing repositories for hazardous waste in crystalline rock. Most of the examples used refer to radioactive waste - this is a reflection of the experience of the author in this field as well as his belief that the same techniques could be used for isolation of radioactive and other hazardous waste. The focus is on the preparation and performance of multibarrier sytems of rock, waste containers and sealing components in a long-term perspective. Examples are provided from large-scale field experiments conducted in the international Stripa Project (a project to develop and test techniques for isolating highly radioactive waste). This monograph should be of particular interest to environmental geologists, structural geologists and civil engineers.
  • Dams and Earthquakes

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 11
    • B.K. Rastogi + 1 more
    • English
    Dams and Earthquakes deals with the association of earthquakes and large artificial lakes, particularly on the part that pore pressure plays in inducing earthquakes. The book also contains methods for recording seismic activity, before, during, and after the filling of reservoir dams through the installation of a network of portable seismographs. The text assesses the parameters and macroseismic effects of the Koyna earthquake in India in December 1967, as well as the instrumental and macroseismic data showing that the Koyna earthquake is a multiple seismic event. The book investigates the geology, hydrology, and seismicity of seismic reservoir sites, including three cases of induced seismicity after fluid injections in deep wells. A possible correlation between the reservoir level or volume of the injected fluid and the tremor frequency exists. The characteristic seismic features of reservoir associated earthquakes can reflect changes in the mechanical properties of rock masses near the reservoirs. The book also investigates the part played by increased pore-fluid pressures in triggering the earthquakes at Denver, Rangely, Kariba, Kremasta and Koyna. The UNESCO Working Group on "Seismic Phenomena Associated with Large Reservoirs" recommends the adoption of a two-phase planning in instrumental studies and surveys at sites to be used for large reservoirs. The book can be beneficial for meteorologists, environmentalists, geologists, civil engineers, structural engineers, or for officers of river and lake authorities.
  • The Theory of Strata Mechanics

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 63
    • H. Gil
    • English
    During the last thirty years, the increasing need for extracting coal from new mining fields, especially from unmined protective pillars and seams that are threatened with rock bursts and rock-gas eruptions, has accelerated the development of research in the fundamental mining discipline known as rock mass mechanics or geomechanics. Generally, rock mass mechanics is concerned with rock mass movements and with the phenomena accompanying them. Extensive theoretical, laboratory, and in-situ investigations have resulted in considerable achievements in the field of rock mass mechanics. It is impossible to include all these achievements in a single monograph, and therefore in the present book the author has attempted to contruct a synthetic mathematical description of the rock mass movements and of the strain and stress state induced by mining, in particular when extracting mineral deposits.
  • Mine Openings: Stability and Support

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 40
    • J. Aldorf + 1 more
    • English
    In this book, the authors present a review of the methods used for the solution of problems of stability and support of mine workings, based on the study and analysis of the validity conditions of individual theoretical computing procedures. The classification of these methods, based on the analysis of factors determining the behaviour of a system of mine openings, should contribute to the greater objectivity of decisions connected with the management and control of mining operations and, from the educational point of view, enable the intricate problems of stability to be better understood. Chapters dealing with support structures and technologies of support review the present state of the art with special reference to problems prevailing in Europe where mining is carried out under continuously deteriorating and less favourable natural conditions.The authors have assembled the theoretical and practical knowledge necessary for those to whom the book is addressed, namely, practising mining engineers and project managers, and students and graduates in mining colleges and schools.
  • Geographic Information Systems for Geoscientists

    Modelling with GIS
    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 13
    • G.F. Bonham-Carter
    • Daniel F Merriam
    • English
    Geographic Information Systems for Geoscientists is unique in its coverage of examples from the geological sciences, many centred on applications to mineral exploration. The underlying principles of GIS are stressed and emphasis placed on the analysis and modelling of spatial data with applications to site selection and potential mapping. The book commences with a definition of GIS and describes a case study of mapping mineral potential. The ways in which spatial data are organized with models (raster, vector, relational) are discussed and data structures, such as quadtrees and topological structures are introduced. Data input including digitizing, geographic projections and conversions is covered together with output (visualization, representation of colour and spatial query). Spatial data transformations are dealt with thoroughly and attention is paid to map analysis and modelling as related to single maps, map pairs and multiple maps respectively. Methods of quantifying the associations between pairs of maps are emphasized. Finally, examples of landfill site selection and mineral potential mapping illustrate the application of map algebra for combining maps and tables with models, employing Boolean logic, index weighting, fuzzy logic and probability methods such as weights of evidence. There is an extensive glossary of terms, and references accompany each chapter. Contains 40 pages of colour illustrations.
  • Ocean Circulation and Climate

    A 21st Century Perspective
    • 2nd Edition
    • Volume 103
    • English
    The book represents all the knowledge we currently have on ocean circulation. It presents an up-to-date summary of the state of the science relating to the role of the oceans in the physical climate system. The book is structured to guide the reader through the wide range of world ocean circulation experiment (WOCE) science in a consistent way. Cross-references between contributors have been added, and the book has a comprehensive index and unified reference list. The book is simple to read, at the undergraduate level. It was written by the best scientists in the world who have collaborated to carry out years of experiments to better understand ocean circulation.
  • Polar Oceanography

    Physical Science
    • 1st Edition
    • Walker O. Smith Jr.
    • English
    Polar Oceanography is an integrated synthesis of the biological, physical, geological, and chemical processes that occur in the polar oceans. The book represents the first modern interdisciplinary synthesis in this field.
  • Optical Remote Sensing of Air Pollution

    Lectures of a Course Held at the Joint Research Centre, Ispra (Italy), 12-15 April 1983
    • 1st Edition
    • P. Camagni + 1 more
    • English
  • Introduction to Mineralogy and Petrology

    • 1st Edition
    • Swapan Kumar Haldar
    • English
    Introduction to Mineralogy and Petrology presents the essentials of both disciplines through an approach accessible to industry professionals, academic researchers, and students. Mineralogy and petrology stand as the backbone of the geosciences. Detailed knowledge of minerals and rocks and the process of formation and association are essential for practicing professionals and advanced students. This book is designed as an accessible, step-by-step guide to exploring, retaining, and implementing the core concepts of mineral and hydrocarbon exploration, mining, and extraction. Each topic is fully supported by working examples, diagrams and full-color images. The inclusion of petroleum, gas, metallic deposits and economic aspects enhance the book’s value as a practical reference for mineralogy and petrology. Authored by two of the world’s premier experts, this book is a must for any young professional, researcher, or student looking for a thorough and inclusive guide to mineralogy and petrology in a single source.