Geology, geomorphology and the lithosphere Books

Book SynopsisThis new volume explores the academic discipline of geology and related fields of study in more than 100 easy-tounderstand entries. Geology, the earth science concerned with the solid structure of Earth and any terrestrial planet or natural satellite, studies the rocks of which it is made, and the processes by which they change over time. Broad categories covered in this volume include: Plate tectonics, Evolutionary history of life, Geologic time, Planetary geology, Hydrology and Dating techniques, like relative or absolute dating.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Geology, Ecology, and Human History of the San Luis Valley explores the rich landscapes and diverse social histories of the San Luis Valley, an impressive mountain valley spanning over 9,000 square miles that crosses the border of south-central Colorado and north-central New Mexico and includes many cultural traditions.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe essential illustrated rocks and minerals guide.Learn how to identify rocks and minerals and appreciate the beauty of the natural world with Rocks & Minerals: An Illustrated Field Guide. Expert geologist Dr. Evelyn Mervine takes you through 50 profiles of these natural materials, including their characteristics, chemical compositions, occurrences, and key identifiers.Take a deep dive into geology and learn all about rocks and minerals, including: Granite Limestone Meteorite Quartz Diamond Gold And many, many more!Complete with a glossary of terms and beautiful illustrations by Vlad Stankovic, this visually stunning book is a must-have for rock hounds and geologists alike.

Read more less

Book SynopsisExplore the beauty and history of turquoise, one of the most celebrated and treasured gemstones of ancient and modern times. Revered around the world, turquoise is a mineral with two histories: that of its formation and that of the people who have mined, traded, and treasured it. Turquoise is an icon of ancient civilizations and especially of the desert regions where it most famously appears. Uncover the history and the secrets of this coveted gemstone in Turquoise. Written by Dan R. Lynch with Bob Lynch, the authors of several books about rocks and minerals, this is the definitive guide to the sky-blue stone. Begin by learning the natural history of turquoise, from how it forms to where it’s found. Dan and Bob present tips for finding and identifying turquoise, and they introduce naturally occurring and human-made turquoise look-alikes. Next, go in-depth on the human history of turquoise. You’ll learn all about buying and caring for turquoise, and you can glimpse our future with this gemstone of the American Southwest. Whether you’re a rockhound or someone who simply appreciates nature’s wonders, grab this book and get to know the storied mineral whose very name is a symbol of color. Book Features Summary of the fascinating natural history Expert advice on how to find and identify turquoise Full-color photographs and illustrations Suggestions on what to do with turquoise and how much it’s worth

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn introduction to the geology of Egypt and its influence on ancient Egyptian cultureWhile much is known about Egypt’s towering pyramids, mighty obelisks, and extraordinary works of art, less is known about the role played by Egypt’s geological history in the formation of pharaonic culture’s artistic and architectural legacy. The fertile soils that lined the Nile Valley meant that the people of Egypt were able to live well off the land. Yet what allowed ancient Egypt to stand apart from other early civilizations was its access to the vast range of natural resources that lay beyond the Nile floodplain.In this engagingly written book, Colin Reader invites readers to explore the influence of geology and landscape on the development of the cultures of ancient Egypt. After describing today’s Egyptian landscape and introducing key elements of the ancient Egyptian worldview, he provides a basic geological toolkit to address issues such as geological time and major earth-forming processes. The developments that gave the geology of Egypt its distinct character are explored, including the uplifting of mountains along the Red Sea coast, the evolution of the Nile river, and the formation of the vast desert areas beyond the Nile Valley. As the story unfolds, elements of Egypt’s archaeology are introduced, together with discussions of mining and quarrying, construction in stone, and the ways in which the country’s rich geological heritage allowed the culture of ancient Egypt to evolve. Ideal for non-specialists and specialists alike, and supported with over one hundred illustrations, A Gift of Geology takes the reader on a fascinating journey into Egypt’s geological landscape and its relationship to the marvels of pharaonic culture.Trade Review"Fascinating . . . hugely ambitious . . . .This is a book that should be on every Egyptologist’s bookshelf."—Ancient Egypt Magazine"[A] travel-sized masterclass. . . . The breadth of this volume makes it perfect for anyone wanting to ground their knowledge of ancient Egypt into a geographic reality, and it should be essential reading for undergraduates in the field."—Egyptian Archeology "A fascinating overview of the Egyptian landscape and the long geological processes that gave rise to one of the world's most unique civilizations."—The Explorers Journal“[A] congenial . . . easy read. . . . a delight.”—Litro Magazine"An authoritative, valuable, accessible introduction to Egypt's geology and its influence on understanding ancient Pharaonic Egyptian culture. Highly recommended. Lower- and upper-division undergraduates. Graduate students, faculty, and professionals. General readers."—CHOICE"Colin Reader is an established authority in Egyptology, and one of only a handful to have specialist knowledge of both geology and ancient Egypt, expertise now distilled into this very readable volume."—Chris Naunton, author of Egyptologists' Notebooks“Colin Reader’s guide to all things geological in Egypt is the perfect handbook for the interested lay reader. Colin takes us from the vast swaths of geological time, across the full range of Egyptian landscapes, to the archaeological context for the building of the pyramids and the quarrying of the unfinished obelisk. His illustrated book is a comprehensive geological companion and, with its suggested further reading, a starting point for deeper investigation.”—Judith Bunbury, University of Cambridge"In this book, Colin Reader skillfully combines his long-standing and scholarly interest in Egyptology with his professional career as a geologist. The result is an accessible, engaging, and up-to-date account of Egypt’s natural landscape and how it came to support the ancient Egyptians’ civilization. This work also successfully demonstrates how events taking place over millions of years are connected to the modern, built environment with which we are familiar today. In this way, A Gift of Geology takes the reader on a deeper exploration of ancient Egypt, encouraging us to think not only in dynasties and periods, but also in eras and eons."—Glenn Godenho, University of LiverpoolTable of ContentsList of FiguresIntroductionChapter 1 The Egyptian LandscapeChapter 2 An Introduction to GeologyChapter 3 The Geology of Egypt Part 1- The Pre-CambrianChapter 4 The Geology of Egypt Part 2 – The Palaeozoic and MesozoicChapter 5 The Geology of Egypt Part 3 – The Cenozoic: a land of riversChapter 6 The Evolution of the River NileChapter 7 The Eastern DesertChapter 8 The Western Desert Part 1Chapter 9 The Western Desert Part 2Chapter 10 Mining and Quarrying.Chapter 11 Building in Stone in Ancient EgyptChapter 12 The Interaction of Monuments and LandscapeChapter 13 A Gift of GeologyFurther Reading

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisFINALIST for the 2021 Oregon Book Award. Rooted in the Pacific Northwest, the essays in Ruby McConnell’s Ground Truth: A Geological Survey of a Life cover the vast terrain of this region – from volcanoes to city parks, the eroding shorelines along the Oregon coast, badlands, lush forests, and city parks. Combining her background as a registered geologist, McConnell’s essays also weave in personal landscapes composed of grief, loss, and optimism for the future of our environment. "The Pacific Northwest that you see today is the result of forty years of radical changes in the culture and economics of what was once a resource-extraction and agriculture-driven region. They are changes so fundamental in nature and scope...that, for those of us from this place, will always be marked by the cataclysmic eruptions of Mt. St. Helens on May 18, 1980." --Ruby McConnell In this collection of 17 essays, geologist Ruby McConnell opens her part natural history, part memoir-in-essays about the Pacific Northwest with the cataclysmic eruption of Mt. St. Helens in May of 1980. She was two years old. "Everything that I have stood direct witness to since, everything I know about this place, happened after we watched the mountain crumble... I was born to a region digging out." In poignant and wide-ranging essays that include the wondrous annual return of salmon, "the lifeblood of the Pacific Northwest people," to working at an elementary school evaluating soil and wondering how many kids have cancer, Ground Truth is an extended eulogy to a rapidly changing land, population and society awakening to the realities of logging, climate change, land-use and pollution. The book illuminates the central role of landscapes in our ideas of home and self despite the growing disconnect between modern lifestyle and the environment. McConnell's timely and significant work reveals how the landscapes we inhabit can also help us better understand ourselves.

Read more less

Book SynopsisGeoscience, or earth science, encompasses various scientific studies related to the Earth's systems. It includes fields like geology, meteorology, oceanography, and astronomy. Environmental pollution is a significant concern in geoscience, affecting human health, soil, water, and more. Mitigating pollution through the "three R's" (Reuse, Reduce, Recycle) is essential. Geothermal energy extraction and surface water and groundwater resources are important topics in geoscience. Volcanic gases, tsunamis, ocean deoxygenation, and earthquakes are other phenomena studied in geoscience. Environmental sustainability and the preservation of ecosystems are crucial for future generations. The book provides insights into geological activities and their implications for preventing environmental damage and human suffering. This book explores current systems, such as hydrology, soil, air, and water resources, and their impact on human activities. It equips readers with scientific skills to address environmental questions and emphasizes critical analysis of data. The book discusses the effects of human activities and environmental change on water and soil resources, provides insights into geographical cycles, and examines land-use opportunities and limitations. It promotes environmental awareness, protection, and sustainable development. The volume contributes to understanding the impact of environmental change on geosciences and offers insights for environmental management in disaster-prone regions.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe geology of the Cairngorms was created on a timeline that stretches back hundreds of millions of years. Much of the land is underlain by granite that formed deep within the Earth's crust and 'surfaced' as the overlying layers of rock were stripped away by ice, wind and water. The bedrock is hard, and although the area has been heavily glaciated, still boasts 18 Munros, the highest of Scotland's peaks. The area attracts climbers, walkers and assorted adventurers who want to pit themselves against some of the most challenging conditions to be found anywhere in the UK. The plants and animals of the Cairngorms need to be hardy to survive the severe winter conditions. The higher reaches of the mountains are rich in montane vegetation such as lichen-rich heath and other habitats support many rare species.Trade Review'Alan McKirdy’s insights are valuable because he is the author of a string of accessible and informative short illustrated books on the geological history of Scotland' * West Highland Free Press *'Not only are they a wealth of information on Scotland's past, they offer valuable insight as Scotland’s future becomes increasingly uncertain due to climate change' * Dundee Courier *

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn ancient and long-extinct volcano lies at the heart of Scotland's capital. It roared into life some 350 million years ago and has been a source of fascination since it was first studied in earnest during the Enlightenment by James Hutton, one of the most significant geologists of all time. Many of Hutton's ground-breaking ideas of how the world works were predicated on the rocks and landscapes of his home city and surrounding area. This book is a fascinating exploration into Edinburgh's geological history over millions of years - including the passage of ice during a great freeze that has left an indelible stamp on Edinburgh's cityscape, the use rocks quarried locally from ancient, now long disappeared seas to create the stunning elegance of Edinburgh's New Town, and the coal deposits and oil shale which were exploited from the Industrial Revolution to the present day.Trade Review'Alan McKirdy’s insights are valuable because he is the author of a string of accessible and informative short illustrated books on the geological history of Scotland' * West Highland Free Press *'Not only are they a wealth of information on Scotland's past, they offer valuable insight as Scotland’s future becomes increasingly uncertain due to climate change' * Dundee Courier *

Read more less

Book SynopsisLying off the south-western tip of Mull, the island of Iona has huge significance as the first important centre of Christianity in Scotland. But the Abbey itself is built upon rocks that tell of events of much greater antiquity: the Lewisian gneisses of western Iona are some of the oldest rocks in the world. Alan McKirdy explores the fascinating geology of the area - in particular the eruption of two major volcanoes around 60 million years ago whose magma chambers formed the spectacular hills and glens of the Ardnamurchan peninsula and Glen More on Mull; and the Ice Age, when glaciers ripped away much of the upper part of the two volcanoes and sandpapered the landscape to create the rounded contours we see today.Trade Review'Alan McKirdy’s insights are valuable because he is the author of a string of accessible and informative short illustrated books on the geological history of Scotland' * West Highland Free Press *'Not only are they a wealth of information on Scotland's past, they offer valuable insight as Scotland’s future becomes increasingly uncertain due to climate change' * Dundee Courier *

Read more less

Book SynopsisLonglisted for the Highland Book Prize 2019 The rocks of northern Scotland tell of turbulent events involving continental collisions that unleashed cataclysmic forces, creating a chain of mountains, the remnants of which we see today on both sides of the Atlantic. Geologists from Victorian times onwards have studied the area, and some of the most important geological phenomena have been established and described from the rocks that built these stunning landscapes. In this book, Alan McKirdy makes sense of the many and varied episodes that shaped the familiar landscape we see today. He highlights a number of fascinating geological features, including the Old Red Sandstones of Cromarty and the Black Isle, which carry the secrets of life during ‘the Age of Fishes’, and the thin sliver of fossil-bearing strata which hugs the coast from Golspie to beyond Helmsdale that dates back to Jurassic times and which records the time when dinosaurs roamed the Earth.Trade Review'Alan McKirdy’s insights are valuable because he is the author of a string of accessible and informative short illustrated books on the geological history of Scotland' * West Highland Free Press *'Not only are they a wealth of information on Scotland's past, they offer valuable insight as Scotland’s future becomes increasingly uncertain due to climate change' * Dundee Courier *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe written history and archaeological records of Central Scotland takes us back to Pictish times some 5,000 years ago. The geology of the area stretches back a further 400 million years. The oldest rocks are found near Lesmahagow and in the Pentland Hills. Known geologically as ‘inliers’– small areas of rocks from an older age, surrounded by younger strata – these strata have yielded some of the oldest fish on earth and are highly prized for what they tell us about early life on the planet. Rocks of the Old Red Sandstone and the succeeding Carboniferous era underlie the rest of Central Scotland in almost equal measure. Explosive volcanic rocks, thick layers of lava, desert sandstones, limestones and productive coal measures make up this bedrock patchwork. Then, sometime later, a covering of ice, some two kilometres thick, blanketed the landscape. It sandpapered and burnished the bedrock into the familiar scenes we see today – our matchless Scottish landscape. The coal and iron ore which lay beneath the ground between Edinburgh and Glasgow provided the raw materials that drove the Industrial Revolution in Scotland, and the early focus on understanding the rocks beneath our feet was unsurprisingly initially concentrated on the most useful minerals resources.Trade Review'Alan McKirdy’s insights are valuable because he is the author of a string of accessible and informative short illustrated books on the geological history of Scotland' * West Highland Free Press *'Not only are they a wealth of information on Scotland's past, they offer valuable insight as Scotland’s future becomes increasingly uncertain due to climate change' * Dundee Courier *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Small Isles comprise the Inner Hebridean islands of Rum, Eigg, Canna and Muck. The landscapes, rocks and fossils of these beautiful, remote islands tells of a drama involving erupting volcanoes, an ancient ecosystem that included dinosaurs and an ancient desert landscape. The geological history stretches back 3 billion years to the earliest events recorded on Earth. All four islands owe their origin to a group of three adjacent volcanoes that were active around 60 million years ago. Rum is the eroded remains of the magma chamber of one of these volcanoes. Eigg and Muck are part of the lava field that extends north from the Mull volcano and Canna lies towards the southern extent of the lavas that flowed from the Skye volcano. The final event that left a mark on these islands was the Ice Age that started around 2.4 million years ago. Its effect on the landscape was profound. The thick cover of erosive ice shaped the contours of the land into the hills and glens that we are familiar with today.Trade Review'Alan McKirdy’s insights are valuable because he is the author of a string of accessible and informative short illustrated books on the geological history of Scotland' * West Highland Free Press *‘Not only are they a wealth of information on Scotland's past, they offer valuable insight as Scotland’s future becomes increasingly uncertain due to climate change' * Dundee Courier *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe six hundred miles between the northernmost Shetland island and the Mull of Galloway in the South of Scotland contain some of the most interesting geology and most varied landscapes in Europe. This variety was the inspiration for a tradition of geological investigation that stretches back to the earliest earth scientists. The origins of the Scotland that we know today lie in five quite distinct geological histories.The Geology and landscapes of Scotland takes the reader on a tour of each of these regions in turn, starting with the Northwest Highlands and Outer Hebrides, which contain some of the oldest rocks on Earth, through the mountain terrains of the Highlands and Uplands to the Lowlands and then the fringes of the North Sea. A section describes the volcanic provinces of Scotland; another deals with the effects of the Ice Ages while a final section looks at Scotland's natural resources.Of equal appeal to the professional geologist seeking a broad overview of a much-studied terrain and a resource for the resident, visitor, walker, climber or angler who wants to understand the origins of the landforms they observe, Geology and landscapes of Scotland has proved itself as a reliable guide. In this thoroughly revised edition the many illustrations are presented in colour.Trade Review'Geology and landscapes of Scotland by Con Gillen is an excellent overview of the geology of Scotland. We are delighted to see the 2nd edition published by Dunedin, updated in a larger size with full colour photos.' http://www.scottishgeology.com'the book is a reasonably comprehensive and generally excellent account of Scotland’s geodiversity, explaining and promoting both its rich geology and varied scenery and landforms. It is written for and should appeal to a wide audience and, given my previous ignorance of the modern interpretation of the Hebridean Volcanoes (Chapter 7), is easily readable and enjoyable. This is probably not surprising since the author has led or taken part in many field trips across Scotland and the surrounding islands capturing the essence of these in photographs. Much of his career has been focussed on introducing geology to those with little knowledge of the subject. In this book he uses his experiences in life-long-learning and educating tourist guides to show why Scottish landscapes are what they are and why they are so much loved by us residents and our visitors alike. His narrative also makes the reader aware of the historical beginnings of the science of geology in the late 18th century with James Hutton, and other later historic figures such as Ben Peach and John Horne. It also shows how Scotland’s geodiversity continues to be at the heart of modern research as it spreads from the detail contained in the basic topics of geology, geomorphology etc. into the modern cross-discipline (environmental) themes relating to climate change, changing sea levels and the low carbon economy. I have no hesitation in recommending a trip to the bookshop for this one…' The Edinburgh GeologistTable of ContentsPrefaces and acknowledgements. 1 Geology, the science of the Earth; 2 Geological regions of Scotland; 3 Scotland's oldest rocks - the far northwest; 4 The Caledonian Mountains; 5 Lowland Scotland: after the mountains; 6 The North Sea and the Inner Hebrides; 7 Hebridean volcanoes; 8 Ice Age Scotland; 9 Natural resources, people and landscape. Appendix. Glossary of technical terms. Gaelic terms. Bibliography. Index of place names. General Index.

Read more less

Book SynopsisEvolutionary biologists have long been concerned by the incompleteness of the fossil record. Although our knowledge of the diversity of life in ‘deep time’ has improved, many lineages of extant animals and plants still have only sparse fossil documentation. Even groups with ‘hard parts’ that render them suitable for fossilization often only have a limited record. Thus, although the fossil record is viewed as critical to the reconstruction of the evolutionary history of life, many biologists question its utility. Fortunately discoveries of occurrences of exceptionally preserved fossils, known as conservation Lagerstätten (Konservat-Lagerstätten), shed much light on the past diversity of life. This volume reviews selected conservation Lagerstätten for terrestrial animals and plants throughout the Phanerozoic worldwide and includes sites in Asia, Europe and North and South America. Together the papers demonstrate the enormous progress made in recent years both in documenting the biodiversity of such extraordinary fossil deposits and also in elucidating the geological conditions for and biogeochemical processes behind the formation of conservation Lagerstätten. Each contribution has been written by eminent palaeontologists who have enlisted additional expertise to make each chapter as comprehensive as possible.N.B. Some corrections are available to this book and may be obtained from the publisherTrade Review'Terrestrial Conservation Lagerstätten (TCL) is a fantastic volume—it treats nine terrestrial Lagerstätten in scholarly detail, each written by experts on the particular Lagerstätte. The articles are complete and full of full-color graphics— including spectacular fossil images. Each chapter is fully referenced. The sites treated are (in geological order): 1) the Rhynie and Windyfield Cherts, 2) the East Kirkton Lagerstätte, 3) the Madygen Lagerstätte, 4) the Solite Quarry, 5) the Yanliao Biota, 6) the Jehol Biota, 7) the Santana Formation, 8) the Messel Pit Fossil Site, and a final chapter covering 9) Extraordinary Lagerstätten in Amber (but focusing heavily on the Cretaceous Burmese amber). Of these chapters, over half have not been treated in a similar manner in previous books on fossil Lagerstätten (chapters 2, 3, 4, 5, & 9). This last fact justifies the book’s rather steep price (about 230 $US at present exchange rates).'Priscum, Newsletter of the Paleontological Society‘Overall, this book is a great overview of nine of the most impressive fossil sites in the world. Each chapter provides a bit of the history of fossil-collecting, the geology, and a run-down of the taxa identified at the site so far. The volume is loaded with big color photographs of gorgeously preserved specimens, making it a great book to peruse even if only for the pictures. It also serves as a general reference for each of the sites, although has quite a bit of taxonomic jargon that may be cumbersome for those unfamiliar with each of the biotas concerned. There is also a fair bit of anatomical terminology that some readers may be less familiar with, e.g., those concerning plant reproduction or insect organs. These make it a difficult read for non-paleontologists but should be fine for the intended scientific audience. Even if the taxonomic group in question is out of your area, the chapters still provide useful information pointing you to delve in further if interested. I recommend this book for anyone particularly interested in taphonomy, evolution of life on land, and/or fantastic pictures of really exceptional fossils.’Palaeontologia ElectronicaTable of ContentsIntroduction. Chapter 1: The Rhynie and Windyfield cherts, Early Devonian, Rhynie, Scotland (Nigel H. Trewin and Hans Kerp); Chapter 2: The East Kirkton Lagerstätte: a window onto Early Carboniferous land ecosystems (Jennifer A. Clack); Chapter 3: Triassic life in an inland lake basin of the warm-temperate biome: the Madygen Lagerstätte, Southwest Kyrgyzstan, Central Asia (Sebastian Voigt, Michael Buchwitz, Jan Fischer, Ilja Kogan, Philippe Moisan, Jörg W. Schneider, Frederik Spindler, Andreas Brosig, Marvin Preusse, Frank Scholze and Ulf Linnemann); Chapter 4: The Solite Quarry – a window into life by a late Triassic lake margin (Nicholas C. Fraser, David A. Grimaldi, Brian J. Axsmith, Andrew B. Heckert, Cynthia Liutkus- Pierce, Dena Smith, Alton C. Dooley Jr.); Chapter 5: The Yanliao Biota: a trove of exceptionally preserved Middle-Late Jurassic terrestrial life forms (Xing Xu, Zhonghe Zhou, Corwin Sullivan, and Yuan Wang); Chapter 6: The Jehol Biota: an exceptional window into Early Cretaceous terrestrial ecosystems (Zhonghe Zhou, Yuan Wang, Xing Xu, and Dong Ren); Chapter 7: The Santana Formation (David M. Martilland Paulo M. Brito); Chapter 8: The Messel Pit Fossil Site (Stephan F. K. Schaal); Chapter 9: Extraordinary Lagerstätten in Amber, with particular reference to the Cretaceous of Burma (David A. Grimaldi and Andrew J. Ross).Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisGeologists are among that group of scientists who must factor the passage of time into their investigations and they thus have a perspective on time that sets them apart from many other researchers. The proposition that geological time is vast, encompassing thousands of millions of years, is relatively recent. It is a concept that remains controversial and unacceptable to many people today who still consider the Earth to have been made to a timetable covering no more than ten thousand years.Paul Lyle examines how our fascination with time has developed from our earliest ancestors' recognition of the cycles of the sun and the moon. It considers the passage of time as a series of non-repeatable events, Time's Arrow, in contrast to time as a series of repeated processes, Time's Cycle, both of which can be used to explain geological features on the Earth's surface.The author argues for a greater understanding of geological or ‘deep time’ as society becomes more aware of the vulnerability of the Earth's resources to over-exploitation by an expanding consumer society. This debate and the controversy surrounding global warming emphasises the importance of geological time to the process of economic and political decision-making. It is a book for those interested in the intellectual challenge presented by the extent of geological time. It is written for environmentalists and policy-makers who wish to better place their concerns and decisions in proper context but, above all, it is a book that offers to share a geologist’s appreciation of time with the widest possible audience.Trade Review'In his latest book, Paul Lyle presents a learned, well-designed and readable account of time in a geological context, drawing its title from James Playfair’s famous aphorism when reflecting on the enormous length of time revealed by the Siccar Point unconformity. It might perhaps have been subtitled ‘The intelligent person’s guide to eternity’, as its intended audience is those with a general interest in the natural world, its development and its future.Specifically it is aimed at those making environmental and development policy who should be better informed of the temporal and geological contexts of their decisions. Plentifully illustrated with well-chosen good quality examples, it would also be a valuable source for introductory geology courses and for those working in the peripheral areas of the Earth sciences.Lyle recounts how our thinking about deep time developed historically in the different perspectives of those who have contemplated it, from the ancient and medieval philosophers, through James Hutton and the Scottish Enlightenment, to the famous geologists and theorists of more recent times.He reviews the formative debate about uniformitarianism and catastrophism, introduces the concepts of time’s arrow and time’s cycle and presents an elegant and succinct overview of the processes working on and within our planet, as we now understand them.He describes the Earth’s development since the beginning, using time as a framework to explain the changes wrought on the Earth both by slow earth processes and by isolated events. Finally he examines contemporary phenomena, both natural and anthropogenic, and applies plate tectonic theory to peer further into the future. In the great scheme of things, while some may think of Man as the most significant being on Earth, we are left perhaps to infer that our effect on the planet itself and its ultimate future is likely to be negligible in the very long run.Tangentially, useful and informative accounts are presented of methods of dating, from semi-quantitative approaches of sedimentology and palaeontology, to quantitative radiometric, dendrological and magnetostratigraphic methods.' Geoscientist'For anyone like me who finds the immensity of geological time ('deep time') both fascinating and fundamentally difficult - both emotionally and intellectually - this is a great book. Paul Lyle has written it for environmentalists and policy makers to help them explain their concerns and decisions more clearly in the context of geological time, but these are not the only people who should read it. It covers (among other things) the history of man's efforts to quantify the earth's age (both relatively and absolutely), from the Ancient Greeks and biblical scholars, through the renaissance to nineteenth and twentieth century efforts to reach an absolute figure of about 4.54 billion years. It also covers the grand themes of geology, including the unifying theory of plate tectonics, and shows how an understanding of time is fundamental to geologists. Therefore, anyone with an intellectual interest in geology and why their science is quite different from the others should read the book.As the author explains, fundamental to the concept of geological time are the concepts of the 'Time's Arrow' and 'Time Cycle'. The first refers to non-repeatable aspects of the flow of time (e.g. the extinction of species, and the creation of banded iron and an oxygen rich atmosphere); while the second refers to series of repeated processes (e.g. rock and water cycles, and the cycles of the moon and sun). Both concepts are essential to explain geological processes and both present problems for lay-people to understand.The author clearly hopes that greater understanding of 'deep time' will lead to more awareness of the Earth's vulnerability, as its resources are depleted by consumers and its climates are affected by global warming. We must realise that economic and political decision-making relies on this understanding. For example, the geology involved in creating crude oil (time's cycle) takes so long that, for human beings, once our supplies have gone, they have gone forever (time's arrow).I can recommend this book on a number of levels and thoroughly enjoyed it.' DepositsTable of ContentsAcknowledgements. Preface. 1: In good time; 2: Tempus fugit – time flies; 3: The importance of understanding time; 4: The early chronologers; 5: Time’s arrow and time’s cycle; 6: The determination of relative time – beds in order; 7: Measurement of absolute time – the age of the Earth; 8: Archaeological time; 9: Time future. References and further reading. Index. Illustration credits.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis guide is for those who wish to understand the interplay between rocks and scenery in a truly classic geology in Europe. Nowhere else in Britain is this link to be more clearly observed. Key geological localities that make the Scottish Highlands a unique region for the study of geology are linked together geographically in a series of journeys. The Western Highlands contain some of the oldest rocks in Europe in a landscape formed more than a billion years ago that has re-emerged from the depths. Geologists have been examining these rocks since the early nineteenth century and, in spite of intense research in this tiny fraction of the Earth's surface, major controversies still surround some of the rock formations. Many fundamentally important concepts in geology were first developed here and then applied elsewhere around the world. The region is an outstanding natural laboratory for the study of mountain building and folding, including the discovery that thick sequences of rocks have been turned completely upside down, and pushed sideways for over 100 kilometres. Representatives of all the major rocks types are found here, and their ages span three-quarters of geological time since the Earth began, some four and a half billion years ago. The journeys and localities are detailed in chapters: Tongue to Lochinver; Lochinver, Assynt, Ullapool; Ullapool to Gairloch; Gairloch to Kyle of Lochalsh; Kyle of Lochalsh, Glenelg, Mallaig, Cluanie, Glen Roy; Fort William, Loch Eil, Glenfinnan, Lochailort, Ardnamurchan, Strontian; Fort William, Ballachulish, Kentallen, Oban, Easdale, Kilmartin, Tayvallich and Kilmory; Fort William, Ben Nevis and Glen Nevis, Ballachulish, Glencoe, Glen Etive, Glen Orchy and Loch Lomond. Excursions are easily accessible, along footpaths and the coast, with a few more challenging options, including Ben Nevis, Scotland’s highest mountain.This is an ideal accompaniment for geologists and earth science students visiting the Western Highlands.Trade Review'The author has clearly spent a lifetime exploring and appreciating the geology of the Western Highlands, and he has a lot to share with the reader. The diverse geology of the chosen area is explained in a concise introduction and he then embarks on eight road journeys in which he covers 96 sites of geological interest (some with several sub-sites). That is certainly ambitious, and at first glance the book looks a rather like a tourist guide, but it is much more than that. His style is fast-paced, factual and commendably clear, without unnecessary detail, and aimed squarely at readers with knowledge of geology. Where appropriate he makes useful references to other geological guides and papers which offer more details of specific areas or excursions... The book has much of interest for any geologist visiting the area, whether a visitor to Scotland or a ‘local’ such as myself. It encourages me to explore more of the geology, and I would certainly see, enjoy, and learn more about it by taking this book with me.' Highland Geological Society 'This book is a field trip between round-cornered covers (so it gets less dog-eared taking it in and out of your rucksack). It covers the whole of western Scotland, excluding the Isles (inner and outer — planned as another volume in the series). The text is readable, but technical. It is structured like a field trip progressing in each regional trip locality by locality. The book is meant to be a carried guide, a set of notes, if you like, but more than that, for Dr Gillen directs you, points out what you should look for explains what you see, explores, challenges and interprets the rocks, structures and formations…This is definitely not a book to read and put down, but rather a book to have constantly in hand as you walk the Scottish Highlands. I truly wish I had this book available years ago when I tramped and climbed in many of the regions it so ably describes.' Proceedings of the OUGTable of ContentsAcknowledgements. Preface. 1: Introduction; 2: Geological evolution of the Highlands; 3: Tongue to Lochinver; 4: Lochinver to Assynt; 5: Ullapool to Gairloch and Loch Maree; 6: Gairloch to Kyle of Lochalsh; 7: Kyle of Lochalsh, Glenelg and Glen Roy; 8: Fort William, Glenfinnan, Lochailort, Ardnamurchan, Strontian; 9: Fort William to Easdale, Kilmartin, Tayvallich and Kilmory; 10: Ben Nevis, Glen Nevis, Ballachulish, Glencoe to Loch Lomond. Selected references and further reading. Appendix. Glossary. Gaelic terms. Index.

Read more less

Book SynopsisVolcanoes are intimately tied to the history of humanity, they help forge the Earth's crust and atmosphere, and they are very much an active feature of today. The archaeology of most ancient civilizations of Europe preserves the imprint of spectacular and volcanic phenomena while, in modern times life is still affected by large eruptions from Europe’s active volcanic systems. The eruption of Santorini, some 3600 years ago in the Aegean, probably inspired the Greek fables of Atlantis; the eruptions of Etna on Sicily are the origin of the forges of Cyclops and other myths; and the regular eruptions from Stromboli earned its Roman name, ‘the Lighthouse of the Mediterranean’. Eruptions in Iceland over the past few centuries have shaped more recent European history and highlight the dramatic effects that distant large eruptions can have on our modern way of living. This thoroughly revised and updated edition reflects modern research and is now illustrated in colour throughout. It presents the volcanoes of Europe, as they are today and tells how they have shaped our past. The volcanic systems of the Mediterranean basin, the Atlantic, and of mainland Europe are introduced and described in clear prose with a minimum of technical jargon. Some of Europe’s ancient volcanic systems is also described as these have been fundamental in shaping the science of volcanology. The origins, history and development of Europe’s volcanoes is presented against a background of their environmental aspects and contemporary activity. Special attention is given to the impact of volcanoes on the people who live on or around them. The book is written for student, amateur and professional earth scientists alike. To help guide the reader, a glossary of volcanic terms is included together with a vocabulary of volcanic terms used in European languages.Trade Review'The strength of the book is the clear, crisp language and the plethora of data, both in text and in graphics. Each volcano is characterised according to age, geological setting, types of lava, types of volcanic eruption and the most famous eruptions in historical or recent times. The appendix 'Eruptions in Europe in historical times' lists all known eruptions of all volcanoes covered in this tome, which is an excellent summary of volcanic activities in Europe. The reader can complement his or her knowledge of the most famous volcanoes, but also of lesser-known ones. To sum up, 'Volcanoes of Europe' can be recommended to everyone who is interested in volcanic phenomena. It would certainly be good to have a comparable tome devoted to other parts of the world, written in the same style by the same authors, in the near future.'Geologos'This highly attractive, superbly illustrated book provides a comprehensive review of ‘European’ volcanoes that have been active in the past 10 000 years. It includes all active and dormant volcanoes and some that can probably be regarded as extinct. ‘Europe’ is meant in a political rather than a geographical sense and hence includes oceanic islands of the North Atlantic and the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Tectonically, most occurrences do lie on the Eurasian Plate, though the Canary Islands are on the African Plate and half of Iceland and the two most westerly Azores are on the North American Plate.'Edinburgh GeologistTable of ContentsPreface. Acknowledgements. Part 1: Introduction. Part 2: The Mediterranean: Italy; Greece. Part 3: The Atlantic: Spain: Canary Islands; Portugal: The Azores; Iceland; Jan Mayen. Part 4: Northern Europe: France; Germany. Glossary. Vocabulary. Eruptions in Europe in historical times. Index of places and features. Index of topics and themes.

Read more less

Book SynopsisScotland's mountains and glens retain the secrets of the long and frequently violent geological history that has gone into their making. Volcanoes have played a major role in the creation of Scotland and while the youngest, a mere sixty million years old, were responsible for much of the scenic splendour of the Inner Hebrides, the rocks composing many of the famous Scottish landforms as, for example, those of Glencoe and the Edinburgh district are also the direct result of volcanism.Volcanoes and the Making of Scotland explores back in time from the most recent examples to volcanoes of the obscure Precambrian times which left their signature in the ancient rocks of the far north-west. Geographically the book ranges across all of Scotland from Shetland to the Borders. Reflecting current research into Scotland's geology, the author also speculates as to the climate, geography and ecology of the long-gone landscapes in which the volcanoes of differing ages were created and destroyed.The book is extensively illustrated with maps, sketches, cross-sections and photographs and relates what can currently be seen in the worn-down remains of Scotland's old volcanoes to active analogues around the world. This book vividly brings life and meaning to what the layman would otherwise regard as cold and incomprehensible rocks.Trade Review'We will all have our favourite Scottish volcanoes and there really is something in this book for everyone. But it will be welcomed in particular by students at all levels and by amateur geologists such as those who read The Edinburgh Geologist. They will learn so much about all the fascinating volcanic relics that we are fortunate to have in Scotland, will clarify their understanding of volcanic and magmatic processes in general and, above all, will thoroughly enjoy reading an undoubted masterpiece.' The Edinburgh Geologist'This is a well-produced book, 240mm x 160m and 20mm thick, but quite heavy so you probably wouldn’t carry it in your ruck- sack! Printed on shiny paper, reading some of the diagrams can be a bit tricky in certain light.The book comprises 12 chapters, a bibliography and an index. I thought that having no glossary would be a problem, but technical terms are explained at least once within the text. They can be found in the index, though you then have to turn to the particular page for definitions — just a niggle really. The first four chapters give an introduction as to what to expect from the book: information on how volcanoes form, plate tectonics, geologic time, mantle plumes, magmas, pyroclastics, lava and igneous rocks. I found these chapters a really good revision of basics, with some new information too. Upton uses modern analogies too. There are lots of diagrams, although references to them are sometimes not as clear as they might be. The photos are generally of good quality.The next seven chapters go into detail about the various volcanoes that have formed in ‘Scotland’. And this is where the book becomes somewhat unusual (which Brian Upton admits!). He takes the formation of the various igneous centres chronologically, but from the most recent backwards. This is not something I am used to — I tend to think in terms of old-to- young, in geological chronology, not vice versa. Also, when making something, you usually start at the beginning not the end. However, his point is that there is more evidence available from the most recent volcanoes about their formation and history. He then applies this to the more limited evidence of the older areas, ‘imagining’ what might have happened, say, in the Devonian, while pointing out that it is ‘informed guesswork’ and that we will probably never know: so much time, so much erosion, so little left! There is a comprehensive section on the Edinburgh volcanics, with very specific examples. Chapter 11 concerning the Pre-Cambrian is particularly fascinating, and shows the information available through geochemical analysis. Chapter 12 contains a summary. In a nutshell, Scotland is a graveyard of volcanoes.The book took very careful reading. Rereading of some sections was needed, as the story is very complicated — I think I knew it was, but not quite that complicated. While this is a serious book, Brian Upton’s style includes the colloquial and he does add humour on occasions (but I’ll leave the reader to find these!).Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and I think it would be a valuable addition to your bookshelf, especially if you are interested in Scottish geology. I will take it with me every time I am in Scotland, albeit not in my rucksack.' Proceedings of the OUGSTable of ContentsForeword. 1: Introduction; 2: Time on Earth and a Brief History of Scotland; 3: Magmas, Igneous Rocks and Volcanic Products; 4. Lava Flows and Pyroclastic Deposits; 5. Early Cainozoic Volcanism and the Birth of the North Atlantic; 6. Early Cainozoic Volcanoes: the Big Ones. 7. Scotland within a Super-continent: Upper Carboniferous and Permian Volcanoes; 8. Post-Caledonian Relaxation: the Lower Carboniferous Volcanoes; 9. Volcanoes in the Old Red Sandstone Continent; 10. Volcanoes and the Iapetus Ocean; 11. Volcanoes as seen through a glass darkly: the earlier pre-Cambrian record; 12. Epilogue. Select Bibliography. Index of Place Names. Index of Selected Technical Terms.

Read more less

Book SynopsisGeoBritannica concerns the geological legacy of Britain, an inheritance bequeathed by its bedrock to the peoples who have lived on the island for the eleven millennia since the final spasms of the last Ice Ages. The authors explain the geological diversity of the landscape and the raw materials that it provides. They show how these materials have been utilised by society and by individuals in creative acts of the imagination. The reader will discover how regional environments and resources have enabled and inspired endeavours as diverse as planning, mining, quarrying, architecture, literature and the visual arts.The authors provide a modern interpretation of the geological history of Britain and place this in its historic, social and artistic contexts. Why is geology so fascinating to us? How do geologists do their science? Why are the differing landscapes what, where and how they are? What is the nature of the geological foundations of the British landscapes? How have geological discoveries developed our understanding of the landscape of Britain over the past two hundred years? What is the geological context of the raw materials used in past and present industries and for historic and vernacular buildings? How have geological landscapes and materials influenced past and present architects, visual artists and writers?This is a book for those wanting to develop a better understanding of Britain and to develop their love and understanding of the island which we inhabit.Trade Review‘The authors state that this book “… attempts to put the geological history, landscapes and materials of Britain … into historic, societal and artistic concepts.” They trace its ‘ancestry’ back to A E Trueman’s Geology and scenery of England and Wales, W G Hoskins’s The making of the English landscape and Jacquetta Hawkes’s A land, books that a certain generation of reader will recognise as ‘classics’. We have waited a long time for a reputable heir! Early chapters introduce readers to basic geology and the history of geology together with its influence on art and literature and the use of rock in people’s lives, especially as building stone. There is a chapter on palaeogeography with simplified maps which is particularly useful, explaining the concept of plate tectonics and placing Great Britain in context during each geological era.In the final section of the book entitled ‘GeoRegions’, Great Britain is divided into 17 areas with a chapter devoted to each. Simplified geological and topographical maps are placed adjacent to each other at the beginning of each chapter to set the scene, making comparison easy, before the geology, culture and art is discussed. Without doubt the section readers will turn to first.It is beautifully illustrated throughout with clear captions and acknowledgment of sources. The paintings shown are very often familiar but the book makes one look at them from a different perspective. It is worth possessing a copy of the book for these alone!The book has been written to appeal to the ‘interested amateur’. This it does admirably, but I am sure a professional geologist will find it equally rewarding to read.’ Geoscientist Online Reviews'The book is marvellous. The quality of the photos, maps and diagrams is outstanding, and I really love the constant admixture of geology, landscape, materials and cultural history. The book has an excellent hard cover, and the result is a remarkable synthesis covering Britain in a way that is really full of insight.' Dr Peter Friend in Trilobite, Friends of the Sedgwick Museum, Cambridge‘With the widespread recognition of the Anthropocene, the ‘Age of Man’, the role of human systems in the shaping of the physical, social and cultural landscape has increased in resonance. Researchers have not been slow to recognise the importance of this change in outlook, with a new-found interest in linking Earth and Human System models. Investigations of the linkages tend, at present, to be focussed on a better appreciation of the risks to economic and social systems of the workings of the Earth system, including the management of changes in land use and biodiversity as well as the more dramatic impacts of volcanic eruptions, earthquake activity, major floods and other extreme meteorological events. Understanding these risks has taken on added urgency in a world known to be undergoing planetary warming. Less emphasis is placed on the role of the landscape’s geological foundations in our cultural heritage. It is therefore refreshing to see Mike Leeder and Joy Lawlor’s vibrantly written and beautifully illustrated account of how Britain’s geological history, landscapes and natural materials can be placed into historic, societal and artistic contexts… GeoBritannica is a charming read, especially if you are interested in the many linkages between geology, scenery and culture. It is a springboard for the realisation of previously neglected connections, for sparking hitherto unasked questions and for marvelling anew at the richness of this ‘fortress built by nature’, this “sceptred isle”.’ For the full review see http://earth-literally.blogspot.co.uk/2017/10/geology-scenery-and-culture-in-britain.html‘If you are wanting to get an overview of British geology and geomorphology then look no further. If you want an idea of literature and graphic art that is related to British scenery and places – then you have it here, too… The book is very well illustrated, in colour, which is important in understanding the copious maps and diagrams. But as well as the science, it is illustrated from equations from poems and prose, guidebooks and reports. Paintings and sculptures are included, too. Explore this book and use it to explore Britain, you’ll not be disappointed.' Visualising GeomorphologyTable of ContentsAcknowledgements. Preface. Forewords. Author Statements. Part 1 ‘the Little Space of this our Island’: 1. Introduction; 2. Affection for Things Geological; 3. Early Discoveries; 4. Works of the Imagination. Part 2 Assembling the Geological Jigsaw: 5. Mapping; 6. ‘Deep Time’ and the ‘Mobile Earth’; Part 3 Remembrance of Things Past: 7. Past Geography and Geological History. Part 4 Material GeoBritannica: 8. Settlement and Communication; 9. Natural Resources – General; 10. Building Stone and Aggregates. Part5 Mineral GeoBritannica: 11. Metals and Mineral Salts; 12. Coal, Peat and Oil. Part 6: ‘To show to the world what exists in nature’: 13. Architecture and Monuments; 14. Sculpture; 15. Painting; 16. Literature. Part 7 GeoRegions: 17. Introduction; 18. Assynt Foreland and Outer Hebrides; 19. North West Highlands and Northern Islands; 20. Grampian Highlands and Argyll; 21. Midland Valley; 22. Formerly Volcanic Islands of the Inner Hebrides; 23. Southern Uplands and Galloway; 24. Scottish-English Borderlands; 25. Lakeland, its Surrounds and the Isle of Man; 26. North Pennines; 27. South Pennines; 28. English Midlands; 29. Welsh–English Borderlands; 30. Northern Wales; 31. Southern Wales; 32. South West England; 33. Southern England; 34. Eastern and Central Scarplands. Glossary. Bibliography and Further Reading. Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Howgill Fells in Cumbria, represent one of the most erosionally active landscapes in Britain. The bedrock geology, folded Silurian mudstones, is not especially well seen. The direct effects of Pleistocene glaciation are limited and not as well developed as in the neighbouring Lake District, although glacial meltwaters did have an important impact. However, it is in its post-glacial landscape that the Howgills are exceptional. The steep hillslopes of the headwater valleys are riddled by networks of erosional gullies, many active during the last few thousand years but now stabilised, others actively erosional now. The gully systems feed sediment downslope, locally forming large tributary-junction alluvial fans, elsewhere creating braided reaches within the stream channels.The Holocene sequence of hillslope gully erosion, alluvial fan deposition, and stream terrace aggradation and dissection is exceptionally well exhibited by numerous exposed sections through the sedimentary sequences. The modern active gully systems have been monitored for more than thirty years. The results of this long-term study illustrate two fundamental aspects of process geomorphology: first, the importance of coupling, i.e. linkages, within the geomorphic system, and secondly, the significance of magnitude/frequency relationships. Essentially, the Howgills form an excellent field laboratory for the study of modern processes and landforms as well as retaining the evidence for reconstructing the erosion/deposition sequence of the last few thousand years.The book is organised in two sections. A series of thematic chapters is followed by chapters dealing with details of recommended field excursions. The first excursion is a car-based excursion around the margins of the Howgills but the other excursions are all hiking excursions into the interior of the Howgills. One of the joys of the interior of the Howgills is that they form an upland block, within which there is no settlement, there are no roads and virtually no walls. You have to hike in to see, study and learn!The book is copiously illustrated by maps, diagrams and colour photographs.Trade Review'This guide … provides access to the academic details as well as the ground evidence for those who want to put the beautiful views into their scientific context, as I do myself whenever I venture into my surrounding hills for some exercise. Obviously, such guides are targeted not just at individuals like me, but more at groups and leaders of groups, such as those in schools and universities, as well as professional research organizations. For all who are likely to be interested, this is a well-organized, succinctly and professionally written and beautifully presented guide, reproduced at a convenient size for that pocket inside your waterproof jacket especially designed for the folded map.Armed with this guide, I am now fully motivated to check out the Holocene and recent geomorphology and vegetation change of the Howgill Fells, which have been so rigorously researched and reported here in a widely accessible way, as well as to make forays into that little known glacial signature. Harvey makes a plea in his closing remarks that this beautiful and fascinating landscape be conserved, and I am sure that many outdoor educators, just like me, will consider turning to the Howgill Fells for future field courses, especially now that such a well-crafted excursion guide is available.'The Holocene'if you want to understand the Howgills landscape, this is an excellent guide to help your appreciation.'Edinburgh Geologist'Because of their proximity to the larger expanse of the Lake District fells, the Howgill Fells are often overlooked by hill walkers and geomorphologists alike but they contain a wealth of detail on recent landscape change that all who are interested in upland terrain should not underestimate. Thankfully, Adrian Harvey is well aware of this detail and has been researching the geomorphology of the area for more than 30 years, delivering along with his colleagues and research students a large number of publications on the nature and chronology of processes and landform change. This guide is an overview of that significant contribution and provides access to the academic details as well as the ground evidence for those who want to put the beautiful views into their scientific context, as I do myself whenever I venture into my surrounding hills for some exercise. Obviously, such guides are targeted not just at individuals like me, but more at groups and leaders of groups, such as those in schools and universities, as well as professional research organizations. For all who are likely to be interested, this is a well-organized, succinctly and professionally written and beautifully presented guide, reproduced at a convenient size for that pocket inside your waterproof jacket especially designed for the folded map.' The Holocene‘The Howgill Fells represent one of the most erosionally active landscapes of Britain. Whilst the area has been heavily glaciated, it is its post-glacial terrain that is exceptional. The soft rocks have been eroded by meltwaters into a network of deep erosional gullies. All formed in the last few thousand years, some have now stabilised whilst others are still very active. The active gullies carry large amounts of sediment that collect to form alluvial fans along with braided streams within complex channels. These gullies are contrasted with those that are inactive and stable. The book is arranged in two parts. The first part comprises thematic chapters that cover topics such as the solid geology, glaciation. drainage evolution, the Holocene landforms and the modem geomorphic system. All the chapters are well illustrated with maps, diagrams and excellent photographs.The second part comprises a series of excursions that cover the periphery and also the interior of the Howgill Fells. By their very nature, The Howgill Fells comprise rough walking country and so the walks have been carefully chosen with safety in mind. The first itinerary can be undertaken by car with a series of short walks. The other itineraries can be undertaken from convenient parking places. A great addition to your bookshelf!’ Down to Earth'The book begins with an overview of bedrock geology and its effect on topography, before focussing on the modern processes and recent landform evolution in the Late Pleistocene to Holocene. I was fascinated to read of the impacts of glaciation, periglacial processes and the possible causes of changes in drainage directions in the area.Of significant interest is the development of landforms such as terraces, alluvial fans and the development of gullies which intersect the Howgill slopes. I found the explanation of the evidence linking major geomorphological change in response to the introduction of sheep grazing about 1000 years ago to be particular absorbing. The narrative is well constructed so that quite complex ideas are conveyed simply enough to be understood by someone with a relatively basic background in Earth science.The outcome of the author’s research into modern geomorphological processes is well documented and covers factors affecting alluvial fan growth, changes in the nature of river channels and sediment movement. The impacts on the landscape of a flood event in 1982 and of the 2015 ‘Storm Desmond’ are also noted and serve to confirm the active nature of processes on the landscape.Part two of the book offers the reader a series of chapters detailing the field sites which illustrate the processes and landscape features introduced in part one. Most of these excursions are to be undertaken on foot with the exception of an introductory tour by car. This tour entitled ‘A reconnaissance road trip around the Howgills’ forms an excellent introduction in the field to the landscape, geology and geomorphological processes that dominate the area of the Howgill Fells. For all excursions there are clear directions and guidance to enable all field sites to be located. These are accompanied by well annotated, colour photographs and diagrams which enable the processes and landforms to be readily interpreted.This book should particularly appeal to anyone with an interest in the development of Pleistocene or Holocene landforms, or indeed a love of the Howgill Fells. If you fall into either or both of these groups, then this is certainly one for the bookshelf and it will be a reference to which you may happily return many times.'Teaching Earth SciencesTable of ContentsAcknowledgements. First Part – The Geomorphology of the Howgill Fells: 1: Introduction Regional overview; 2: Holocene Landform evolution; 3: The modern geomorphic system. Second Part – The field sites: Chapter 5: A Reconnaissance road trip around the Howgill Fells; 6: The Western Howgills. 7: The Northern Howgills. 8: The Southern Howgills. 8: Final Reflections. References. Appendices

Read more less

Book SynopsisGeological research does not flow steadily onwards by means of small incremental advances but can be better understood as a series of significant discoveries or changes in interpretation that transformed the way we understand the Earth. Each of these changes or new ideas encouraged a burst of activity as researchers attempted to apply them more widely in order to test their universality, and thereby their validity as a scientific theory. Probably the best example of such a transformative idea is Plate Tectonics, which, although questioned at the time it was introduced, is now universally accepted as a general principleA large number of the subsequent advances in geological understanding have been based upon this breakthrough. Each of the 12 chapters in this book represents a new idea or discovery, which is discussed in its historical context. In each case the salient features of these ideas are described, together with some biographical details of the individual scientists credited with them - but also mentioning others whose role in the generation of the idea is perhaps not so obvious. Of instant appeal to geologists and other earth scientists interested in how their science evolved over time by means of a number of revolutionary ideas, this book also serves as a paradigm for the history of science across many disciplines.Trade Review'This volume is a welcome history of major geological 'success stories', based on the solid, steady fieldwork and research of dedicated scientists through more than a hundred years. The book's dust jacket quotes James Hutton's "no vestige of a beginning - no prospect of an end." As geologists have come to realise, geological understanding comes both from slow, accumulative processes and from periodic and arbitrary catastrophic occurrences that drive the shaping of the Earth. Prof. Graham Park's text relates how geological research does not necessarily flow steadily onwards in small incremental advances, but both by accumulated, hard-won evidence punctuated by a series of significant discoveries - in facts and in realisations - and of interpretations... As an archaeologist, historian and keen student of the history of science, this book will take a prominent place among my stratified bookshelf foresets and bedforms. At GBP24.99 for the hardback it's worth every penny.' Proceedings of the OUGS'Impressively informed and informative, expertly organized and presented, enhanced for academia with the inclusion of numerous illustrations, a sixteen page Glossary, an eight page listing of References, and an eight page Index, "Breakthroughs in Geology: Ideas That Transformed Earth Science" is an especially and unreservedly recommended addition to community, college, and university library Earth Science & Geology collections and supplemental studies lists.' Midwest Book Review 'What does impress me a whole lot about this book is the clarity of the writing - it is concise, easy to read and generous in spirit seeking to see that all those who put their shoulders to the wheel get their due recognition. There are also nice little asides that give us an insight into the characters involved and the events that shaped them - be it the war service of Derek Flinn or the agricultural background of James Hutton. The book also represents a really good way to get a basic understanding of a whole range of key concepts and processes in the Earth Sciences. As a result I can see this as a text that in the UK would be really useful for undergraduates at a First Year level - and also those interested in understanding how Geology differs in its rationale from many other physical sciences. Central to this is the fundamental importance of the geological record and the need to develop a historical approach in addition to the more traditional causal scientific method. The volume shares much in common with the author's other text books: it is well illustrated (in colour), succinctly and engagingly written and should be understandable to the reasonably well-informed layperson. It also comes with an extensive glossary of technical terms and a nice collection of key references for each chapter. Retailing at about 25 pounds (35 dollars), it is in my opinion very good value and should be an essential purchase for any university library. But I would recommend it also to the general reader - if you wanted to find one book that concisely summarises and illustrates why the Earth Sciences is so diverse, eternally fascinating and downright bloody wonderful, this is it. I congratulate the author on a job well done.' Proceedings of the Geologists' AssociationTable of ContentsSourced illustrations. Preface. Acknowledgements. 1) Uniformitarianism: the first breakthrough; 2) Evolution and the Origin of Species; 3) Continental drift. 4) Mantle convection: a mechanism for continental drift? 5) Deformation ellipsoid to ductile shear zone; 6) Plate tectonics; 7) Ophiolites: clues to the ocean crust and mantle; 8) Fault system kinematics; 9) Back-arc basins and trench roll-back; 10) Hot-spots and mantle plumes; 11) Sequence stratigraphy; 12) Gravity spreading. Appendix. Glossary. References. Index.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe diversity of Scotland's mountains is remarkable, encompassing the isolated summits of the far northwest, the serrated ridges of Skye, the tor-studded high plateau of the Cairngorms and the rolling hills of the Southern Uplands. Born on ancient continents and uplifted by tectonic forces, the mountains of Scotland have been sculpted by successive ice sheets, landslides, frost, wind and running water. This book explains the geological evolution of Scotland's mountains, and how this has produced an unparalleled variety of mountain forms. It outlines the effects of successive ice sheets on mountain scenery, and explains the dramatic changes in climate that terminated the Ice Age only 11,500 years ago. In non-technical terms it explains the effects of frost action in forming the rubble that mantles many mountain summits, and how such debris has slowly migrated downslope by freezing and thawing of the ground. The dramatic effects of deglaciation and earthquakes in triggering catastrophic landslides and downslope displacement of entire mountainsides are described, along with accounts of more recent events involving the rapid downslope flow of saturated debris. The book also outlines how Scottish mountains experience frequent gale-force winds, and their impact of wind in scouring plateaus and depositing expanses of windblown sand on lee slopes. The role of floods in eroding upland terrain and depositing floodplains, terraces and fans of sediment is described in the context of possible human influence on river regime through forest clearance.Written in clear, non-technical language and abundantly illustrated, this book is designed to provide an essential guide to landforms for all those who walk, climb, live and work in the mountains of Scotland.Trade Review'This is much, much more than a book about Scotland’s diverse mountains, it’s staggering range of rock types of differing ages and the many processes operating here through deep time, many millions of years ago, through ice ages to today’s weathering, erosion and deposition. The book as a whole tells a very coherent, detailed story of the development of the mountain landscapes we observe today and how these landscapes may look in the future. It is not a book of published scientific papers, equations and technical academic jargon, nor does the author shy away from all of those, but hits the middle ground, and the book is immensely readable and wonderfully illustrated… I found Colin Ballantyne’s book to be very accessible and, although I read it cover to cover, it is also one to easily dip into. I recommend this book to anyone with an interest in mountains, from the walker and budding geologist through to those who study the mountains of Scotland.' Proceedings of the OUGS'The book is well illustrated throughout with the explanatory figures clearly presented and hopefully understandable by most. The number of such figures sets it clearly apart from a coffee table book. There are copious and excellent photographs throughout which are for the most-part presented at the size more familiar to readers of academic texts, i.e. there are few full page photographs. I think this book will provide a welcome resource for many who venture into the Scottish mountains on foot, on bikes, in their cars, on coaches or on the train, as many mountain landscapes can be seen from the vantage points of road and rail. There is an index of locations, and one for the mountains and hills, and these are likely to become well-thumbed pages by readers in search of an explanation for some part of the landscape which they have just observed. Colin’s academic background is finally revealed by a short section which provides references to ‘Further reading’ for those who are interested in delving deeper. I stated that Colin had set himself a daunting challenge with his aim for this book and I think he has achieved this, in as far as it is possible to do so. It provides an accessible explanation to the relevant solid earth and surface processes, however, the more complex and nuanced explanations, may be more challenging for some. If you have experienced the Scottish mountains and found yourself, at some point, wondering “why does it look like that” or “what is that mound” or “what is that hollow”, then this book may well provide an answer for you. I found it a very enjoyable read and I am sure that so will very many others.' Scottish Geographical Journal'As a hillwalker who has tramped Scotland's mountain landscape regularly for over 30 years and spent countless days surrounded by and wandering through the diverse and contrasting upland areas of this country it has been a pleasure to sit down with this book and review these past adventures in a new light. Most of us who head to the hills frequently have to contrast our delight at being immersed in our favourite highland landscapes with very scant knowledge of how the individual characters of these mountain areas were formed. Typically, we will of course be aware to some extent of the volcanic origin of some of our favourite haunts, the impact of glaciers on the topography and the effect of erosion on our mountain ranges. Ballantyne s book though takes these grains of knowledge and expands them with a very thorough and exceptionally well researched record of the formation and evolution of the landscape which forms our playgrounds. This reader's previous efforts to explore Scotland s geological past have floundered on other authors overly scientific and dry presentation. Ballantyne's book contains plenty of science and technical information, but it is written in an easier to read style that is very palatable to the non-expert. The book contains fascinating insights into many mountain areas that have been frequently visited in the past, but which will be looked on with fresh eyes the next time round. There are plenty illustrations and photographs highlighting the descriptive text and putting the research into context. This book would make an excellent gift for anyone who enjoys walking the Scottish hills or who is simply fascinated by this rich landscape of ours.' Norrie Shand Secretary, The 45 Degrees Mountaineering Club'Scotland’s Mountain Landscapes: A Geomorphological Perspective provides a highly engaging and technically comprehensive guide to the development of Scotland’s upland terrain. The book is presented largely as a journey through time, starting with the formation and tectonic movement of the rocks that form the present-day Scottish landmass, to subsequent shaping of this terrain by weathering, glacial, periglacial, fluvial and slope processes. The book aims to find the middle ground between the academic literature, full of technical jargon, and more popular accounts that are often lacking in scientific detail. To enable the reader to navigate through the specialist terminology that is required to achieve any level of detailed explanation, each chapter begins by systematically outlining the key terms and concepts required to understand the richly detailed, Scotland-specific, remainder of the chapter. The overall result is an excellent account of the evolution of Scotland’s mountain landscapes. Colour diagrams and some impressive photographs throughout provide a powerful visual accompaniment to the detailed descriptions and process explanations, although in places I wish that features of interest within photographs had been directly labelled or highlighted. The book will be enjoyed by academics, students and non-specialists alike; anyone with an interest in the rich geomorphological history of the Scottish uplands… The major strength of the book lies in its ability to synthesise the vast body of literature associated with the evolution of Scotland’s landscapes into a manageable account, without scrimping on detail. This is no easy feat given the range of disciplines (geology, geochronology, glaciology, various strands of geomorphology, etc.) that the book draws upon, and the many complex debates on landform or geochronological interpretation within each subject area or locality. In general, the book manages to delicately navigate any contentious landform-process interpretations, and a range of potential explanations is often included. Non-specialists who just want to dip into the book may struggle as the text often relies on knowledge gained in a previous chapter. However, those who read the book from start to finish will be well rewarded with a comprehensive and fascinating account of the geological and geomorphological history of Scotland’s mountain landscapes. Overall, the book was a pleasure to read, providing a great overview with something for readers of all specialisms and backgrounds.' The HoloceneTable of ContentsAcknowledgements. 1:Introduction, The land of the mountain and the flood ; 2:The geological evolution of Scotland; 3: Rocks, relief and the preglacial landscape ; 4:The Ice Age in Scotland; 5: Glacial landforms; 5: Periglacial landforms; 6: Landslides and related features; 7: Aeolian landforms; 8: Fluvial landforms; 9: Key sites. Further reading. Index of locations in Scotland. Index of Scottish mountains and hills. General Index.

Read more less

Book SynopsisOne of the most important issues in current debates on climate change is sea level rise. Hardly a day goes by when there is not a newspaper article, TV or radio presentation on the topic. Nearly half of the world's population live on or near the coast, so there is real concern about the impact that future sea level rise may have. Yet media predictions of future changes tend to be depicted in a sensationalist manner and quite often the explanations of the science of sea level change bear little relation to reality. This book details the history of scientific discoveries that have explained the patterns of sea level change that have taken place across the Earth in the past. Alastair Dawson introduces the many complex processes, some of which are not well-known, that influence patterns and rates of relative sea level change. Using this knowledge, the reader is much better placed to form a clearer perspective on what the future is likely to have in store for sea levels on Earth.Alastair Dawson first addresses some of the most important misconceptions about the topic of sea level change. He then explains the principal causes of sea level change focusing on the key issues of vertical land movements and changes in global ocean volume. He explores the key areas of science that we need to understand in order to evaluate competing assertions of how sea level is likely to change in the future. He also shows how, remarkably, the melting history of the last great ice sheets on Earth is still playing an important part in contributing to present patterns of sea level change. The book concludes with a consideration of the rates and patterns of sea level change that have occurred over the last century and demonstrates how satellite technology is presently contributing new ways of understanding of present patterns of change.Trade Review'This book is a timely publication due to current debates on climate change and is part of a series that focuses on introducing a particular subject area. It is a good format, not too long (only 84 pages, excluding glossary and further reading) and written in a way that is accessible to those at undergraduate level. The aim of the book is to introduce the subject of sea level change in a concise, readable way and to provide the reader with the key scientific information that is needed to understand the complex nature of sea level change. Sea level rise is an important issue within the broader topic of climate change. As about half the world's population lives near the coast, sea level rise is a real cause for concern for many people. However, sea level rise is not simply due to the melting of ice sheets and glaciers due to climate change, nor is the change uniform across the globe. Alistair Dawson attempts and succeeds to produce a 'rough guide' to sea level change by producing simple and straightforward explanations of a highly complicated topic.' The Holocene 'Introducing Sea Level Change more than fulfils its aim of providing the key scientific information on which to understand and discuss the topic. It gives a concise and accessible overview of sea level change without compromising its scientific rigour. It would give any able sixth form student, undergraduate or teacher a focussed explanation of the topic. The book would also be of great value to policy-makers and members of the public who want to be better informed about such an important aspect of climate change and the environmental consequences of sea level change.' Teaching Earth Sciences 'This succinct 101 pages text provides a scientific perspective on sea level change and enables readers from introductory students to general interest backgrounds to go beyond the hype and headline figures to forge an understanding of the causes, questions and rigorous techniques for estimating sea level change. One of the key strengths of the book is to demystify common misunderstandings about sea level, and a second is to delve deeply but simply into the quandaries which must be resolved in order to provide a good understanding of sea level change.' Scottish Geographical Journal 'Introducing Sea Level Change packs a lot into 101 pages. A stimulating introductory chapter on the meaning of sea-level covers everything from the Potsdam gravity 'potato' and the geoidal surface, to the politics of sea-level change, via tide gauges, radar interferometry and the Last Glacial Maximum. The following three chapters deal with the reconstruction of past sea-level changes, including the types of evidence used, the construction of sea-level curves and the long-term record. Chapters 5 and 6 review what we know about the causes of sea-level change, including isostatic, eustatic and steric changes. Chapters 7-10 provide a view of long-term sea-level change over the last full glacial cycle. This section provides an excellent insight into the complexity of unravelling past sea-level change, from modelling the impact of the gravitational pull of former ice sheets on sea-level, to the evidence for meltwater pulses and catastrophic sea-level rise at the end of the last glaciation. The final two chapters of the book focus on present and future change, and the difficulties of predicting how sea-level rise will impact on different parts of the world.' Scottish Journal of GeologyTable of ContentsPreface. List of illustrations and tables. 1: What does 'sea level' mean? 2: Evidence for former relative sea level changes; 3: Long-term chronologies of relative sea level change; 4: Reconstructing past changes in relative sea level; 5: Response of the Earth's crust to surface loads; 6: Processes of relative sea level change; 7: Ancient and modern ice sheets and relative sea level changes; 8: Relative sea level change during the last glacial maximum; 9: Ice sheets and meltwater pulses; 10: Abandoning global sea level curves; 11: Present and future relative sea level change; 12: Understanding sea level change. Glossary. Selected further reading.

Read more less