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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.

  • Wave Fields in Real Media

    Wave Propagation in Anisotropic, Anelastic, Porous and Electromagnetic Media
    • 2nd Edition
    • Volume 38
    • José M. Carcione
    • José M. Carcione
    • English
    Wave Fields in Real Media examines the differences between an ideal and a real description of wave propagation, where ideal means an elastic (lossless), isotropic and single-phase medium, and real means an anelastic, anisotropic and multi-phase medium. The analysis starts by introducing the relevant stress-strain relation. This relation and the equations of momentum conservation are combined to give the equation of motion. The differential formulation is written in terms of memory variables, and Biot's theory is used to describe wave propagation in porous media. For each rheology, a plane-wave analysis is performed in order to understand the physics of wave propagation. The book contains a review of the main direct numerical methods for solving the equation of motion in the time and space domains. The emphasis is on geophysical applications for seismic exploration, but researchers in the fields of earthquake seismology, rock acoustics, and material science - including many branches of acoustics of fluids and solids - may also find this text useful.

  • The Geological Time Table

    • 6th Edition
    • Bilal Haq + 1 more
    • English
    'The colorful previous editions of the Geological Time Table have been immensely popular with scientists, professors, and students alike. The new and revised sixth edition provides practicing geologists, archaeologists, and Earth historians with a succinct source of reference to stratigraphy and chronostratigraphy. It provides easy access to numerical ages, including the stratigraphic subdivisions and the ages of prominent mountain-building, paleoceanographic, paleoclimatological and evolutionary events in Earth history.The linear time scale has been thoroughly revised, utilizing recent developments in geochronology and radiochronology, especially where there have been major revisions in age dating. An attempt has been made to update all regional stratigraphic schemes based on the most recent information. It also lists major events in how mountain ranges are formed, geomagnetic polarity reversal, and unusual seafloor magnetic records, where available. Major biotic events, prominent geodynamic, oceanographic and geochemical events and glacial episodes of the Phanerozoic can also be found for quick reference.A series of paleogeographic maps showing major geographic and oceanographic changes are included as an educational tool and glacial and archaeological classifications complete the utility of the chart for paleoclimatology and archaeology. An index is provided for quick and easy reference to the terms within the body of the Table.'Also available in sets of 10 - Haq: The Geological Time Table, sets of 10, Elsevier (2007, Wallchart-10 per tube, ISBN-13:978044452983... $245.00)

  • Trace Fossils

    Concepts, Problems, Prospects
    • 1st Edition
    • William Miller III
    • English
    This book serves as an up-to-date introduction, as well as overview to modern trace fossil research and covers nearly all of the essential aspects of modern ichnology. Divided into three section, Trace Fossils covers the historical background and concepts of ichnology, on-going research problems, and indications about the possible future growth of the discipline and potential connections to other fields. This work is intended for a broad audience of geological and biological scientists. Workers new to the field could get a sense of the main concepts of ichnology and a clear idea of how trace fossil research is conducted. Scientists in related disciplines could find potential uses for trace fossils in their fields. And, established workers could use the book to check on the progress of their particular brand of ichnology. By design, there is something here for novice and veteran, insider and outsider, and for the biologically-oriente... workers and for the sedimentary geologists.

  • Environmental Hydraulics

    Hydrodynamic and Pollutant Transport Models of Lakes and Coastal Waters
    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 56
    • Ioannis Tsanis + 3 more
    • English
    Hydrodynamic and pollutant transport models are useful tools for evaluating remediation options for polluted water bodies. These models span the range from highly theoretical, fine resolution, physically-based designs to lumped, black-box representations of real world phenomena. This book examines the numerical approaches used in hydrodynamic and pollutant transport modeling. First, the theory and physical basis of transport and mixing in lakes and coastal waters are provided. Methodologies that use a three-dimensional (3D) approach to predicting the fate and transport of pollutants are presented and this is followed by a presentation of alternatives to 3D circulation modeling as well as new advances in the field. These alternatives offer near 3D accuracy but without the computational burden. Illustrations of the calibration and verification of these models using laboratory data, as well as, field data are also provided. The models are applied to a diverse array of study sites ranging from The Great Lakes in North America to the coastal areas of Northern Crete.

  • Critical Excitation Methods in Earthquake Engineering

    • 1st Edition
    • Izuru Takewaki
    • English
    Since the occurrence of earthquakes and their properties are very uncertain even with the present knowledge, it is too difficult to define reasonable design ground motions especially for important buildings. In the seismic resistant design of building structures, the concept of ‘performance-based design’ has become a new paradigm guaranteeing the maximum satisfaction of building owners. The quality and reliability of the performance-based design certainly depend on the scientific rationality of design ground motions. In order to overcome this problem, a new paradigm has to be posed. To the author’s knowledge, the concept of 'critical excitation' and the structural design based upon this concept can become one of such new paradigms. This book introduces a new probabilistic and energy-based critical excitation approach to overcome several problems in the scientific and rational modelling of ground motions. The author hopes that this book will help the development of new seismic-resistant design methods of buildings for such unpredicted or unpredictable ground motions.

  • Glaciotectonism

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 6
    • James S. Aber + 1 more
    • English
    Glaciotectonism is an important component of modern glacial theory, gaining widespread recognition within the past 25 years. This book is outcome of compiling maps of glaciotectonic structures and landforms for North America and central Europe, which is the basis for better understanding the role of glaciotectonism as a key component of glacial theory.Glaciotectoni... is intented to provide a comprehensive review and description of glaciotectonic phenomena. The subject matter is arranged in three broad sections. First, definitions, principles, and methodologies of glaciotectonics in the field as well as in the laboratory are described. Next, case histories of glaciotectonic structures and landforms from the land and continental shelf regions of North America and Eurasia are then covered in detail. Practical applications for mining, highway construction, and other human activities are also described. The last part of the book covers regional and continental distribution of glaciotectonic phenomena, dynamics of glaciotectonic deformation, and analogous non-glacial deformation.

  • Applied Clay Mineralogy

    Occurrences, Processing and Applications of Kaolins, Bentonites, Palygorskitesepiolite, and Common Clays
    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 2
    • Haydn H. Murray
    • English
    This book on Applied Clay Mineralogy is comprehensive. It covers the structure, composition, and physical and chemical properties of kaolinite, halloysite, ball clays; bentonites including sodium montmorillonite, calcium montmorillonite, and hectorite; and palygorskite and sepiolite. There is also a short chapter on common clays which are used for making structural clay products and lightweight aggregate. The location and geology of the major clay deposits that are marketed worldwide and regionally include kaolins from the United States, Southwest England, Brazil, and the Czech Republic along with halloysite from New Zealand and ball clays from the US, England, Germany, and Ukraine. Bentonites from the U.S. and Europe are included along with palygorskite and sepiolite from the U.S., China, Senegal, and Spain. The mining and processing of the various clays are described. Extensive discussions of the many applications of the clays are included. The appendices cover the important laboratory tests that are used to identify and evaluate the various types of clay. Many figures are included covering electron micrographs, processing flow sheets, stratigraphy, and location maps.

  • Creativity

    Theories and Themes: Research, Development, and Practice
    • 1st Edition
    • Mark A. Runco
    • English
    An integrative introduction to the theories and themes in research on creativity, this book is both a reference work and text for courses in this burgeoning area of research. The book begins with a discussion of the theories of creativity (Person, Product, Process, Place), the general question of whether creativity is influenced by nature or nurture, what research has indicated of the personality and style of creative individuals from a personality analysis standpoint, how social context affects creativity, and then coverage of issues like gender differences, whether creativity can be enhanced, if creativity is related to poor mental or physical health, etc. The book contains boxes covering special interest items including one page biographies of famous creative individuals and activities for a group or individual to test and/or encourage creativity, as well as references to internet sites relating to creativity.

  • Environmental Data Exchange Network for Inland Water

    • 1st Edition
    • Palle Haastrup + 1 more
    • English
    Understanding and protecting our environment is a key component of environmental development, yet access to a wide range of high-quality information is currently based on very limited data due to lack of the exchange of data between source and recipient. This three part book that first discusses the importance of data exchange and describes why it is essential for gathering data in the environmental sciences. Part Two takes the results of the Environmental Data Exchange Network for Inland Water project (EDEN-IW), and addresses its objectives for ensuring that the needs of citizens and enterprises of the environmental sciences community are met. Finally, Part Three takes a look at the wide variety of data policies and addresses how environment administrators in Europe can enhance their efficiency, openness and accountability.

  • Advances in Geophysics

    Advances in Wave Propagation in Heterogeneous Earth
    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 48
    • Ru-Shan Wu + 1 more
    • English
    Significant progress in our understanding of the Earth's structure and functioning is dependent on new and original observations. However, these observations cannot be interpreted in a quantitative way without tools to model them, and developing adequate modelling methods is also a prerequisite for progress. Seismological raw data in the 21st century are mostly three-component broadband recordings, and require advanced numerical tools to be modelled, especially if lateral variations in the model are accounted for in addition to the radial stratification of the Earth. Considerable progress has been made concerning modelling of elastic waves in laterally heterogeneous structures in the last decades, taking advantage of the development of computer power. The number of articles related to new developments of diverse methods is enormous and it can be very difficult for newcomers to get an overview of the different methods available, and to be able to find which method is most appropriate for his or her applications. This book aims at giving introductions and basic reviews of the modelling methods for elastic waves in laterally heterogeneous structures which are most commonly used in contemporary seismology, or may have great potential for the future.

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