Exploring Space, Exploring Earth: New Understanding of the Earth from Space Research

by Paul D. Lowman Jr , Foreword by Neil A. Armstrong

• ISBN13: 9780521890625
• ISBN10: 0521890624
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-08-26
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

Paul Lowman, a NASA scientist for over 40 years, describes the impact of space flight on geology and geophysics. A foreword by Neil Armstrong emphasizes that the exploration of space has lead us to a far deeper understanding of our own planet. Direct results from Earth-orbital missions include studies of Earth's gravity and magnetic fields. In contrast, the recognition of the economic and biological significance of impact craters on Earth is an indirect consequence of the study of the geology of other planets. The final chapter presents a new theory for the tectonic evolution of the Earth based on comparative planetology and the Gaia concept. Extensive illustrations, a glossary of technical terms, and comprehensive bibliography, provide geologists and geophysicists with a valuable summary of research. The book will also serve as a supplementary text for students of tectonics, remote sensing and planetary science.

Table of Contents

Foreword	xi
Neil A. Armstrong
Preface	xiii
Acknowledgements	xvii
Preview of the orbital perspective: the million-year day	1	(15)
Introduction	1	(1)
A digital tectonic activity map of the Earth	1	(4)
Sea-surface satellite altimetry	5	(2)
Satellite measurement of plate motion and deformation	7	(1)
Satellite remote sensing	7	(3)
Satellite magnetic surveys	10	(2)
Origin and significance of the digital tectonic activity map	12	(4)
Space geodesy	16	(67)
Introduction	16	(1)
Space geodesy methods	17	(16)
Shape of the Earth	33	(4)
Gravity anomalies and global tectonics	37	(2)
Marine gravity and ocean-floor topography	39	(6)
Plate motion and deformation	45	(6)
Plate tectonics and continental drift	51	(5)
GPS measurements of crustal deformation	56	(11)
Earth rotation and expansion tectionics	67	(4)
Extraterrestrial gravity fields	71	(11)
Gravity field of the Moon	71	(5)
Gravity field of Mars	76	(3)
Gravity field of Venus	79	(3)
Summary	82	(1)
Satellite studies of geomagnetism	83	(40)
Introduction	83	(8)
Satellite investigations of the Earth's magnetic field	91	(1)
The main field	92	(2)
The crustal field	94	(18)
Extraterrestrial magnetic fields	112	(8)
Summary	120	(3)
Remote sensing: the view from space	123	(68)
Introduction	123	(3)
Orbital remote sensing in geology: a brief history	126	(3)
Tectonics and structural geology	129	(24)
Global tectonics activity map	129	(2)
Tectonics of southern Asia	131	(5)
Elsinore Fault	136	(5)
Lineament tectonics	141	(12)
Exploration geology	153	(14)
Petroleum exploration	153	(9)
Mineral exploration	162	(5)
Environmental geology	167	(23)
Active volcanism	167	(11)
Glacial geology	178	(5)
Aeolian geology and desertification	183	(7)
Summary	190	(1)
Impact cratering and terrestrial geology	191	(36)
Introduction	191	(2)
Hypervelocity impact	193	(3)
Impact craters	196	(7)
Cratering studies and the space age	203	(4)
Origin of continents	207	(2)
Origin of ocean basins	209	(1)
Economic importance of terrestrial impact structures	210	(4)
Origin of the Sudbury Structure	214	(6)
Impacts and basaltic magmatism	220	(1)
Impacts and mass extinctions	221	(2)
Summary	223	(4)
Comparative planetology and the origin of continental crust	227	(45)
Introduction	227	(2)
Origin of the continental crust	229	(1)
Previous studies	230	(12)
Crustal province boundaries: are they sutures?	232	(5)
Ensialic greenstone belts	237	(2)
Terrane accretion vs. reworking	239	(3)
Thermal histories of planets	242	(2)
Crustal evolution in silicate planets	244	(11)
First differentiation	245	(8)
Late heavy bombardment	253	(1)
Second differentiation	253	(1)
Summary	254	(1)
A model of continental crust	255	(4)
Evolution of the continental crust	259	(10)
Stage I: first differentiation	261	(4)
Stage II: second differentiation	265	(4)
Petrologic evolution of the Earth	269	(3)
Geology and biology: the influence of life on terrestrial geology	272	(10)
Introduction	272	(1)
Gaia	273	(3)
The geologic role of water	276	(2)
Gaia and geology	278	(1)
A biogenic theory of tectonic evolution	278	(1)
Summary	279	(3)
Afterword	282	(6)
Appendix A Essentials of physical geology	288	(2)
Appendix B Lunar missions, 1958 to 1994	290	(7)
Appendix C Planetary missions, 1961 to 1992	297	(8)
Glossary of geologic terms	305	(4)
Selected bibliography (by chapter)	309	(49)
Index	358