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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.

  • Geomorphology: The Research Frontier and Beyond

    Proceedings of the 24th Binghamton Symposium in Geomorphology, August 25, 1993
    • 1st Edition
    • J.D. Vitek + 1 more
    • English
    Perspectives on the future directions of research in geomorphology form the major theme of this volume. Ten geomorphologists were asked to "star-gaze", that is provide opinions about the future direction of their specialty. Each paper is supported by the literature that currently defines the research frontier.

  • Statistics and Data Analysis in Geochemical Prospecting

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 2
    • R.J. Howarth
    • English
    Handbook of Exploration Geochemistry, Volume 2: Statistics and Data Analysis in Geochemical Prospecting aims to survey the techniques available for the quality control of laboratory data, storage and retrieval of field and laboratory information, statistical analysis of single- and multi-element data, and presentation of geochemical data as maps. The selection first elaborates on data storage and retrieval, control procedures in geochemical analysis, and univariate analysis. Discussions focus on analysis of variance, density distribution, probability graphs, statistical basis of analytical quality control, laboratory control procedures, data storage media, data organization, programming considerations, and generalized data systems. The book then takes a look at sampling methodology, mapping, and multivariate analysis. Concerns cover correlation, cluster analysis, regression, partial correlation, class selection techniques, map filtering techniques, cross-correlation maps, strategies for optimum sampling design, and search techniques. The manuscript elaborates on examples of geochemical data processing in Africa, mathematical and statistical activity in North America, statistical models for geochemical anomalies, geochemical characterization of tin granites in northern Thailand, and use of pattern classification methods in till geochemistry. The selection is highly recommended for researchers interested in statistics and data analysis in geochemical prospecting.

  • Western Europe, North America and Australasia

    Western Europe, North America and Australasia
    • 1st Edition
    • Rolf Bohme
    • English
    Topographic mapping plays a basic and important role within the extensive field of cartography. In recent years, this type of mapping has become somewhat neglected and available literature is normally restricted to details concerning the programmes of individual countries, often presented in the form of monographs. Topographic maps are essential tools for use in development projects, resource exploitation, the planning of construction, infrastructure and recreation. Furthermore, they give a detailed illustration of the relative degrees of development of areas within a landscape and are thus unique in demonstrating the cultural status of a country. This book is the first of three volumes and provides an introduction to world topographic mapping giving details and examples of topographic maps from Western Europe, North America and Australasia. The information supplied for each country consists of a text, including a brief history of the development of topographic mapping, geodetic data, map scales and series, as well as extracts of maps and index sheets illustrating the present status of map coverage within that country. There is currently no other work employing the approach adopted in assembling this `inventory'. This work is a comprehensive and important reference and source book for information in the field of topographic mapping.

  • Seismic Applications of Acoustic Reciprocity

    • 1st Edition
    • J.T. Fokkema + 1 more
    • English
    The seismic applications of the reciprocity theorem developed in this book are partly based on lecture notes and publications from Professor de Hoop. Every student Professor de Hoop has taught knows the egg-shaped figure (affectionately known as "de Hoop's egg") that plays such an important role in his theoretical description of acoustic, electromagnetic and elastodynamic wave phenomena.On the one hand this figure represents the domain for the application of a reciprocity theorem in the analysis of a wavefield and on the other hand it symbolizes the power of a consistent wavefield description of this theorem.The roots of the reciprocity theorem lie in Green's theorem for Laplace's equation and Helmholtz's extension to the wave equation. In 1894, J.W. Strutt, who later became Lord Rayleigh, introduced in his book The Theory of Sound this extension under the name of Helmholtz's theorem. Nowadays it is known as Rayleigh's reciprocity theorem.Progress in seismic data processing requires the knowledge of all the theoretical aspects of the acoustic wave theory. The reciprocity theorem was chosen as the central theme of this book as it constitutes the fundaments of the seismic wave theory. In essence, two states are distinguished in this theorem. These can be completely different, although sharing the same time-invariant domain of application, and they are related via an interaction quantity. The particular choice of the two states determines the acoustic application, in turn making it possible to formulate the seismic experiment in terms of a geological system response to a known source function.In linear system theory, it is well known that the response to a known input function can be written as an integral representation where the impulse response acts as a kernel and operates on the input function. Due to the temporal invariance of the system, this integral representation is of the convolution type. In seismics, the temporal behaviour of the system is dealt with in a similar fashion; however the spatial interaction needs a different approach. The reciprocity theorem handles this interaction by identifying one state with the spatial impulse function, also known as the Green's function, while the other state is connected with the actual source distribution. In general, the resulting integral representation is not a spatial convolution. Moreover, the systematic use of the reciprocity theorem leads to a hierarchical description of the seismic experiment in terms of increasing complexity. Also from an educational point of view this approach provides a hierarchy and the student learns to break down the seismic problem into constituent partial solutions.This book should contribute to the understanding that the reciprocity theorem is a powerful tool in the analysis of the seismic experiment.

  • Deconvolution and Inverse Theory

    Application to Geophysical Problems
    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 29
    • V. Dimri
    • English
    This is the first study to present simultaneously both deconvolution and inversion, two powerful tools of data analysis. Featured within this volume are various geophysical convolution models and a treatment of deconvolution for a time-varying signal. The single channel time-varying deconvolution is shown equivalent to the multichannel time-invariant deconvolution, thus a formalism and associated algorithms can handle both. Inverse theory as well as various inversion schemes are presented on the basis of a relationship between a small perturbation to the model and its effects on the observation. The information theory inversion scheme is discussed, and several types of norm of minimization presented. Additionally, concepts and results of inverse theory are applied to design a new deconvolution operator for estimating magnetization and density distribution, and the constraint of the Backus-Gilbert formalism of inverse theory is used to design a new prediction error filter for maximum entropy spectral estimates. Maximum likelihood, another high resolution method is also presented. This volume can be utilised as a graduate-level text for courses in Geophysics. Some chapters will be of use for graduate courses in Applied Mathematics, Applied Statistics, and Oceanography.

  • Storm and Cloud Dynamics

    Volume 44
    • 1st Edition
    • William R. Cotton + 1 more
    • Renata Dmowska
    • English
    This book focuses on the dynamics of clouds and of precipitating mesoscale meteorological systems. Clouds and precipitating mesoscale systems represent some of the most important and scientifically exciting weather systems in the world. These are the systems that produce torrential rains, severe winds including downburst and tornadoes, hail, thunder and lightning, and major snow storms. Forecasting such storms represents a major challenge since they are too small to be adequately resolved by conventional observing networks and numerical prediction models.

  • Engineering Sites

    • 1st Edition
    • English
    Developments in Geotechnical Engineering, Vol. 14B: Rockslides and Avalanches, 2: Engineering Sites focuses on initiatives to offer a foundation for studies of mass movement phenomena in the Western Hemisphere. The selection first takes a look at the contributions of Josef Stini to engineering, geology, and slope movement investigations, the concept of Karl Terzhagi on rockslides, and the contributions of Laurits Bjerrum to the mechanics of rockslides. Concerns cover stability of hard rock slopes, influence of geological details, relation between slide process and remedial treatment, water pressure in pores and fractures, slope creep, rockslides, and avalanches, and early warning of an impending slide. The publication then examines rock slope movements with hydroelectric power projects in Mexico, Bighorn Reservoir slides in Montana, U.S.A., rock avalanche and wave at Chungar, Peru, and wedge rockslides in Libby Dam and Lake Koocanusa in Montana. The text examines Hogarth Pit slope failure in Ontario, Canada, pit slope performance in shale in Wyoming U.S.A., Twin Buttes pit slope failure in Arizona, U.S.A., and the Prime Mine slope failure in Arizona, U.S.A. Discussions focus on stability analyses, description of slope failures, cause of failure, remedial actions, geotechnical properties of tertiary shales, and subsequent slope performance. The selection is a valuable source of data for researchers interested in rockslides and avalanches.

  • Advances in Hydroscience

    Volume 13
    • 1st Edition
    • Ven Te Chow
    • English
    Advances in Hydroscience, Volume 13-1982 covers topics on water-related thermal problems, solid-state hydrology, alluvial hydraulics, and ocean waves. The book presents articles on the simulation techniques for Aquifier Thermal Energy Storage, which deals with various aspects of the mathematical simulation of thermal energy storage in aquifiers, and the theory of thermal control and prevention of ice in rivers and lakes. The text also includes an article on the hydraulic theory of alluvial rivers, which deals with sediment transport on a plane bed, the influence of dunes on flow resistance in steady and unsteady flow, and flow in bends. The stochastic analysis and probabilistic prediction of random seas is also encompassed. The book will prove invaluable to hydrologists, engineers working in fields concerned with water and water technology, those interested in temporarily storing energy from solar and other heat sources, those interested in groundwater, and geomorphologists.

  • The River Nile

    Geology, Hydrology and Utilization
    • 1st Edition
    • R. Said
    • English
    This multidisciplinary book by the author of The Geology of Egypt is the result of many years of research. It attempts to reconstruct the history of the River Nile from its origins to its present shape and regimen and also to ascertain the amount of water which has been carried by the river during the course of its history. It examines the manner in which this water was utilized in the past and the ways in which it will have to be used in future if the inhabitants of the river basin are to cope with their anticipated needs.Part One traces the geological history of the Nile from the time it started to excavate its valley some six million years ago until the present shape was assumed during the wet period which affected Africa after the retreat of the ice of the last glacial age some 10,000 years ago. Part Two deals with the amount of water that the river and its tributaries carry at present and have carried in the past. Part Three discusses the utilization of the water of the Nile from the time of the first appearance of man in the valley until the present time. It traces man's attempt to harness the river from the earliest time to the building of the Aswan High Dam. The book evaluates the effects of the dam after twenty years of operation. Part Four covers the present water supply-demand balance in each basin state and discusses the future plans of these countries to use the waters of the Nile. The rapidly growing populations and the prolonged droughts of recent years have put pressure upon the available waters of the river.

  • Theory of Planetary Atmospheres

    An Introduction to Their Physics and Chemistry
    • 2nd Edition
    • Volume 36
    • John Marshall + 1 more
    • English
    For advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate students in atmospheric, oceanic, and climate science, Atmosphere, Ocean and Climate Dynamics is an introductory textbook on the circulations of the atmosphere and ocean and their interaction, with an emphasis on global scales. It will give students a good grasp of what the atmosphere and oceans look like on the large-scale and why they look that way. The role of the oceans in climate and paleoclimate is also discussed. The combination of observations, theory and accompanying illustrative laboratory experiments sets this text apart by making it accessible to students with no prior training in meteorology or oceanography.

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