Understanding the Earth

by Edited by Geoff Brown , Chris Hawkesworth , Chris Wilson

• ISBN13: 9780521427401
• ISBN10: 0521427401
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1992-11-27
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

Starting with the exploration of the solar system and the study of planet formation, the reader will then find novel contributions on the Earth's interior and its dynamic evolution. Synthesis of the related topics of magma generation, plate tectonics, volcanic, hydrothermal and mineralisation process, and crustal evolution leads the reader to a new understanding of lithospheric tectonics.

Table of Contents

Lists of editors and contributors
Foreword
Introduction to Chapters 1-4	p. 1
Exploration of the Solar System	p. 3
The origin of the Earth	p. 25
The Earth's interior	p. 44
Experimental petrology: Earth materials science	p. 67
Introduction to Chapters 5-8	p. 89
Magma generation in the Earth	p. 91
The interpretation of magmatic evolution	p. 115
Geological time	p. 132
The continents	p. 145
Introduction to Chapters 9-12	p. 165
Seafloor spreading and plate tectonics	p. 167
Plate tectonics and continental drift	p. 187
Plate tectonics and hydrothermal ore deposits	p. 204
Metamorphism and fluids	p. 222
Introduction to Chapters 13-15	p. 249
Seismic reflection profiling and the structure of the continental lithosphere	p. 251
Deformation of the continental crust	p. 275
The formation of sedimentary basins	p. 301
Introduction to Chapters 16-19	p. 325
Clastic sediments	p. 327
Limestones through time	p. 347
Hydrocarbon source rocks	p. 364
Event stratigraphy: a dynamic view of the sedimentary record	p. 375
Introduction to Chapters 20 and 21	p. 387
Sequence stratigraphy: an introduction	p. 388
Intraplate stress and sedimentary basin evolution	p. 415
Introduction to Chapters 22 and 23	p. 435
The early evolution of life	p. 436
Fossils and evolutionary theory	p. 458
Introduction to Chapters 24 and 25	p. 483
Palaeoclimatology	p. 485
Volcanic hazards	p. 506
Glossary	p. 523
Figure acknowledgements	p. 539
Index	p. 542
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