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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.

  • Research on the Nature of Mineral-Forming Solutions

    With Special Reference to Data from Fluid Inclusions
    • 1st Edition
    • N. P. Yermakov
    • Edwin Roedder
    • English
    Research on the Nature of Mineral-Forming Solutions is the first book on the subject of fluid inclusions. This book contains observational data and studies of mineral-forming solutions done in the Soviet Union. The description and natural classification of inclusion in minerals according to their composition and state are discussed. Gaseous, liquefied, and solidified inclusions that are found in minerals and their significance are considered important in determining the presence and availability of the mineral. For example, any earlier or contemporaneous minerals that are found only in their host crystals can be determined by analyzing the presence of solid inclusions. The origin and genetic classifications of liquid and gaseous inclusions, being both abundant in hypogene ore deposits, are explained. Other less common methods in the study of inclusions, besides homogenization of inclusions by heating under the microscope, are forwarded. The authors believe that exact measurements of the homogenization temperature are possible and therefore can serve as a precise indicator in understanding the process of formation of individual crystals and hydrothermal deposits. Other studies of the All-Union Research Institute of Piezo-optical Mineral Raw Materials are also discussed. This collection of monographs will prove invaluable to mineralogists, geologists, and research-chemists studying minerals and ore deposits.
  • 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.
  • The Planet Earth

    • 2nd Edition
    • D. R. Bates
    • English
    The Planet Earth, Second Edition focuses on the advances in geophysical sciences and fundamental laws of nature. This edition introduces a new chapter (Chapter 17), which discusses Van Allen radiation belts. The rest of the chapters have also been modified and updated with additions on the work and achievements of the International Geophysical Year (IGY); Mohole project; continental drift and polar wandering; exosphere; state of the theory of magnetic storms and aurorae; and possibility of extra-terrestrial sources of life. Topics also deliberated in this book include origin, age, and possible ultimate fate of the earth; general circulation of the atmosphere and oceans; aurorae and magnetic storms; and genesis of life. This publication is a good reference for students and researchers conducting work on geophysics.
  • Hydrology

    An Advanced Introduction to Hydrological Processes and Modelling
    • 1st Edition
    • Arved J. Raudkivi
    • English
    Hydrology: An Advanced Introduction to Hydrological Processes and Modelling introduces the reader to hydrological processes and methods of estimation of the various quantities involved. Topics covered range from elements of meteorology to precipitation, evaporation and transpiration, interception, and flood routing. Extreme events, design flood, and small catchment runoff are also discussed. This book is comprised of 12 chapters and begins with an overview of hydrology and the hydrologic cycle, along with the world's water resources and their utilization and management. Subsequent chapters deal with atmospheric thermodynamics and atmospheric circulation; analysis and measurement of precipitation, evaporation, transpiration, and interception; infiltration of groundwater; and reservoir and stream routing. Storage for flood control and regulation for abatement of water shortage are also considered, along with stratification and siltation of reservoirs, catchment yield, and sediment yield and transport. The final chapter highlights the importance of information analysis and decision making in hydrological work. This monograph is written for senior and postgraduate students and should also be of value to practitioners of physics, mathematics, and civil engineering.
  • Recent Crustal Movements

    • 1st Edition
    • N. Pavoni + 1 more
    • English
    Developments in Geotectonics, 9: Recent Crustal Movements covers the papers presented at the Fifth International Symposium on Recent Crustal Movements, held in Zurich, Switzerland on August 26-31, 1974. The book focuses on geodetic investigations, geological-geomorpho... investigations, geophysical investigations, in-situ stress measurements/crustal stresses, seismotectonics/acti... faults, and plate tectonics/continenta... drift. The book first takes a look at tectonic-plate motions from lunar ranging and long baseline interferometry for centimeter accuracy geodetic measurements. Discussions focus on proposed transportable lunar laser ranging station; expected plate-motion measurements from present lunar-ranging stations; and pacific plate motion experiment. The text then ponders on precision electromagnetic distance-measuring instrument for determining secular strain and fault movement and deep in-situ stress measurements by hydrofracturing. The publication ponders on geotectonic relevance of rock-stress determinations, thermal runaway in the mantle and neotectonics, and data on plate tectonics of Alaska. The text also elaborates on geodetic surveys for monitoring crustal movements in the United States and determining earthquake recurrence intervals from deformational structures in young lacustrine sediments. The manuscript is a vital source of data for readers interested in crustal movements.
  • Clays and Clay Minerals

    Proceedings of the Eighth National Conference on Clays and Clay Minerals
    • 1st Edition
    • Ada Swineford
    • English
    Clays and Clay Minerals, Volume 8 contains the proceedings of the Eighth National Conference on Clays and Clay Minerals held in Norman, Oklahoma, on October 11-14, 1959 and sponsored by the Clay Minerals Committee of the National Academy of Sciences—National Research Council in cooperation with the University of Oklahoma. The papers explore research findings as well as problems related to clays and clay minerals in many diverse disciplines. This volume is comprised of 22 chapters and begins with a description of clays and clay minerals present in Wichita Mountain area, southwestern Oklahoma, followed by an analysis of the correlations of kaolinite crystallinity with chemical and physical properties. An evaluation of the amount and distribution of montmorillonite in some kaolins found in Georgia and South Carolina is then presented. Subsequent chapters focus on the geology, mineralogy, and genesis of selected fireclays from Latah County, Idaho; chemical weathering of layer silicate clays in loess-derived Tama silt loam of southwestern Wisconsin; possible uses of clay minerals in the search for oil; and a geochemical method for determining paleosalinity. The final chapter presents the results of a mineralogical analysis of soil clays involving vermiculite-chlorite... differentiation. This book will appeal to geologists, geochemists, and mineralogists.
  • Paleontology and Neontology of Cephalopods

    • 1st Edition
    • M. R. Clarke + 1 more
    • English
    Paleontology and Neontology of Cephalopods examines information that throws new light on the evolution of coleoids. This book is part of a multivolume work, The Mollusca, which attempts to provide comprehensive treatment of major areas of molluscan research. The Mollusca is intended to serve several disciplines—zoology, biochemistry, physiology, and paleontology. It will prove useful to researchers and to all others with interests in mollusks. The book begins with a review of the main features of cephalopod evolution. This is followed by separate chapters on the evolution of the gladius in coleoids; the buccal mass of Cephalopoda; beaks of living coleoid Cephalopoda; cephalopod hooks; statoliths of cephalopods; buoyancy and locomotion in recent cephalopods; and evolution of the cephalopod brain and cephalopod statocyst. Subsequent chapters deal with the photophore structure and evolution within the Enoploteuthinae; the interrelationships of genera within the Ommastrephidae; evolutionary pathways traversed by the cephalopod family Cranchiidae; the cephalopod fauna of the European Mediterranean; and the evolution of recent cephalopods.
  • Cloud Dynamics

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 53
    • Robert A. Houze Jr.
    • Renata Dmowska
    • English
    Clouds play a critical role in the Earth's climate, general atmospheric circulation, and global water balance. Clouds are essential elements in mesoscale meteorology, atmospheric chemistry, air pollution, atmosphericradiation... and weather forecasting, and thus must be understood by any student or researcher in the atmospheric sciences.Cloud Dynamics provides a skillful and comprehensive examination of the nature of clouds--what they look like and why, how scientists observe them, and the basic dynamics and physics that underlie them. The book describes the mechanics governing each type of cloud that occurs in Earth's atmosphere, and the organization of various types of clouds in larger weather systems such as fronts, thunderstorms, and hurricanes.This book is aimed specifically at graduate students, advanced undergraduates, practicing researchers either already in atmospheric science or moving in from a related scientific field, and operational meteorologists. Some prior knowledge of atmospheric dynamics and physics is helpful, but a thorough overview of the necessary prerequisites is supplied.
  • Spatial Database Transfer Standards

    Current International Status
    • 1st Edition
    • H. Moellering
    • English
    Since the 1960's individuals and organisations throughout the world have been building geographic databases used in conjunction with geographic hardware and software systems to collect, analyse, display and archive digital data. Through the years it was recognised that efficiencies could be gained if the geographic database built by one group could be used by multiple users across different computer systems and formats. Therefore, it was acknowledged that spatial database transfer standards were needed to facilitate the exchange and transfer of digital geographic data.Throughout the 1980's several organisations worldwide began working on the problem of producing spatial database transfer standards. As this work was initiated, research workers began to informally compare notes and developments. The International Cartographic Association [ICA], recognising the worldwide importance of standards, organised a Standards Working Group. The initial goal of this working group was to produce a monograph reporting on the present state of development in digital database transfer standards.This book is a unique collection of reports by individual nations and international organisations that describe existing geographic standards and summarize efforts to develop geographic database transfer standards worldwide.
  • Stresses and Displacements for Shallow Foundations

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 70
    • D. Milovic
    • English
    This monograph presents the results of the theoretical analyses of stresses and displacements for shallow foundations subjected to various types of loads. In these analyses not only the classical models but more complex models of soils have been used, such as two-layer half-space, homogenous compressible layer of finite thickness, two-layer compressible layer of finite thickness, anisotropic compressible layer. Contact stresses, settlements, vertical stress distribution, bending moments and shear forces have been determined for foundations of any rigidity. Numerous values of the dimensionless coefficients "I" are tabulated, which can be of use in the solution of practical engineering problems.