Rocks, minerals and fossils: general interest Books

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Book SynopsisPrecious stones, gems and crystals have been valued throughout history not only for their rarity and expense, but for their mystical properties too. Garnet is rumoured to stimulate the heart, while the pearl offers the protection of the goddess Diana – coral, so-called 'witch-stone', is said to guard against the evil eye, and amethyst is said to prevent drunkenness. Gem Magic guides the reader through the uses of and stories surrounding a cornucopia of stones. Introducing the inherent properties of dazzling selection of gems, gemologist Raymond Walters describes how each stone is formed and its key properties, what beliefs have been associated with them through history and around the world, and both their scientific and occult uses. Famous stones, both real and mythical, are lyrically described – from the infamous Koh-i-Noor diamond to unicorn horn and bezoar. Table of ContentsIntroduction - Discovering Gems. Minerals. Gems of the Natural World. Mythical Stones. Gemstone Superstitions. Glossary and further reading.

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Book SynopsisWeird Dinosaurs examines the latest breakthroughs and new technologies radically transforming our understanding of the distant past. Pickrell opens a vivid portal to a brand new age of fossil discovery, in which fossil hunters are routinely redefining what we know and how we think about prehistory's most iconic and fascinating creatures.Trade ReviewThis history of the discovery of some of the most outlandish creatures that ever lived, and the excitement of paleontological research, will be sure to both entertain and instruct. No other such historical narrative exists that is focused on weird extinct beasts. -- Spencer Lucas, author of Dinosaurs: The Textbook, sixth edition Fascinating... Readers learn of beautiful opalised dinosaur bones from Australia and a crested dinosaur found approximately 13,000 feet up Antarctica's Mt. Kirkpatrick, demonstrating that dinosaurs were widely distributed across the globe. Publishers Weekly In the 26 years since Jurassic Park was released we have unearthed about 75 per cent of all known dinosaur species... Weird Dinosaurs is a tour de force through the latest digs across the planet. It features the amazing people unearthing new fossils and highlights the odd reptiles that roamed all corners of the earth millions of years ago. -- Marcus Strom Sydney Morning Herald Australian Geographic editor John Pickrell brings us up to date with Weird Dinosaurs, using the species' often bizarre features as a giddy hook. Some had bat-like wings, some had elaborate neck frills, others shock with how large (or small) they were. Pickrell spends a lot of time on quests of individual fossil hunters and he shifts the focus from traditional fossil destinations such as North America to current hotspots China, Mongolia and Antarctica. -- Doug Wallen The Big Issue, Australia Weird Dinosaurs is an informative and entertaining text with a nice blend of narrative and scientific fact... the facts and information included are simply fascinating. Sharon the LibrarianTable of ContentsWorld Map Foreword, by Philip Currie Introduction: A New Golden Age for Dinosaur Science 1. Monster from the Cretaceous Lagoon: The Sahara, Egypt 2. All Hail the Dino-Bat: Hebei Province, China 3. Dwarf Dinosaurs and Trailblazing Aristocrats: Transylvania, Romania 4. Horny Ornaments and Sexy Ceratopsians: Alberta, Canada 5. The 'Unusual Terrible Hands': Gobi Desert, Mongolia 6. Scandalous Behaviour and Enfluffled Vegetarians: Siberia, Russia 7. Cretaceous Creatures of the Frozen North: Alaska, United States 8. The Hidden Treasures Down Under: Lightning Ridge, Australia 9. Record-breaking titans: Patagonia, Argentina 10. Southern Killers Set Adrift: Mahajanga Basin, Madagascar 11. Polar Pioneers and the Frozen Crested Lizard: Transantarctic Mountains, Antarctica Future Potential Glossary Further Reading Acknowledgments Notes Credits Index

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Book SynopsisProvides a comprehensive review of the fossil record of the Carpathian Basin in modern-day HungaryTrade Review[This] is an insightfully written treatise on the geology and paleontology of the region that many in the field do not have full knowledge of, but even though this is geared toward those readers with a scientific background, it is also set up so that general readers can understand. * Quarterly Review of Biology *This book fills a gap in the geological texts on the Carpathians, especially in Hungary, and offers a valuable wealth of geological-paleontological and scientific-historical information from the Ordovician to the Pleistocene. This extensive and relatively inexpensive work is an unrivaled recommendation for amateurs and amateur geologists / palaeontologists. [translated from German] * Zentralblatt für Geologie und Paläontologie *Fossils of the Carpathian Region. . . is beautifully produced with high-quality color illustrations throughout and an exhaustive bibliography and index. The book will be at home both in a university and on a coffee table. . . . Highly recommended. * Choice *Table of ContentsDetailed Outline of the TextList of Maps PrefaceAcknowledgmentsIntroduction: Rocks, Fossils, Events, Ages1. The Paleozoic2. The Triassic3. The Jurassic4. The Cretaceous5. The Cenozoic6. The Oligocene7. The Early and Middle Miocene8. The Late Miocene9. The Pliocene10. The Quaternary11. Museums and CollectionsEpilogueGlossaryMapsReferencesIndex

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Book SynopsisDuring the Early Cretaceous, lakes, meandering streams, and flood plains covered the region where the current foothills of Rioja now exist. This book provides a synthesis of that research in English. It offers descriptions of sites, footprints, and trackways, and explains what these prints and tracks can tell us about the animals who made them.Trade ReviewFelix Perez-Lorente has to be congratulated for sharing his career-long experience in a book that will be the reference for La Rioja and that will undoubtedly serve for the study of tracksites around the world. It is a worthy read for anyone interested in - or fascinated by - these exceptional inchological wonders and the animals that made them. * Geobios *Table of Contents1. La Rioja Footprints2. Ichnology3. The Tracksites 4. Conservation of the Tracksites5. SummaryReferencesIndex

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Book SynopsisThe story of expeditions into Africa in search of dinosaur bones.Trade ReviewThe volume will certainly be the standard reference on the history of Tendaguru from here on . . . I thoroughly enjoyed African Dinosaurs Unearthed and recommend it to anyone interested in the history of research on Mesozoic fauna. * The Palaeontological Association Newsletter *Table of ContentsPreliminary Table of Contents:Preface1. 1907: Fraas and Something Curious in the African Bush 2. 1908: Von Branca and a Matter of National Honour3. 1909: Janensch, Hennig, and a Cemetery of Giants4. 1909-1910: Geology in the Rain and Comets, Stegosaurs, and Iguanodonts5. 1911: Along the Railway and Expansion, Exhaustion, and Completion?6. 1911-1912: A Museum Overflows - The Recks find Iguanodonts, Pterosaurs, and a Fossilized Forest7. 1913-1918: Fresh Discoveries and a Bitter War8. 1919-1924: The British Museum in Tanganyika Territory9. 1924-1925: Cutler, Leakey, and a Difficult Start10. 1925: Berlin Builds Dinosaurs11. 1925: A Death in Africa12. 1925: Migeod - A New Recruit 13. 1925-1926: An Expedition Saved 14. 1926-1927: Berlin in Chaos and Parkinson Reviews Stratigraphy 15. 1927-1929: Kenyan Interlude, Geology at Tendaguru, and Desperate Finances 16. 1929: Migeod Returns 17. 1930: Migeod and Parrington, Tendaguru and Nyasaland 18. 1931-1939: Hennig Returns and Berlin's Museum Triumphs 19. 1939-1976: Destruction and Renewal 20. 1971-2001: Russell to Africa, Brachiosaurus to Tokyo, Berlin to Tendaguru21. A Significant Contribution NotesReferencesIndex

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Book SynopsisThe Ornithopods include Iguanodon, one of the first dinosaurs ever discovered and analyzed, and perhaps the best-documented group, the hadrosaurs or 'duckbilled dinosaurs.' The Ceratopsians include Triceratops, known for its distinctive three-horned skull and protective collar. This book collects information on these two groups of animals.Table of ContentsContributorsPrefaceAcknowledgmentsI. Beaked Dinosaurs: The Ornithopods1. Callovosaurus leedsi, the Earliest Dryosaurid Dinosaur (Ornithischia: Euornithopoda) from the Middle Jurassic of England José Ignacio Ruiz-Omeñaca, Xabier Pereda Suberbiola, and Peter M. Galton2. Teeth of Ornithischian Dinosaurs (Mostly Ornithopoda) from the Morrison Formation (Upper Jurassic) of the Western United States Peter M. Galton3. A Description of a New Ornithopod from the Lytle Member of the Purgatoire Formation (Lower Cretaceous) and a Reassessment of the Skull of Camptosaurus Kathleen Brill and Kenneth Carpenter4. Turning the Old into the New: A Separate Genus for the Gracile Iguanodont from the Wealden of England Gregory S. Paul5. A Possible New Basal Hadrosaur from the Lower Cretaceous Cedar Mountain Formation of Eastern Utah David Gilpin, Tony DiCroce, and Kenneth Carpenter6. Postcranial Osteology of the Hadrosaurid Dinosaur Brachylophosaurus canadensis from the Late Cretaceous of Montana Albert Prieto-Marquez7. "Leonardo," a Mummified Brachylophosaurus (Ornithischia: Hadrosauridae) from the Judith River Formation of Montana Nate L. Murphy, David Trexler, and Mark Thompson8. Discussion of Character Analysis of the Appendicular Anatomy in Campanian and Maastrichtian North American Hadrosaurids—Variation and Ontogeny Michael K. Brett-Surman and Jonathan R. Wagner9. Osteochondrosis in Late Cretaceous Hadrosauria: A Manifestation of Ontologic Failure Bruce Rothschild and Darren H. Tanke10. Deciphering Duckbills: A History in Nomenclature Benjamin S. CreislerII. Horned Dinosaurs: Ceratopsians11. Cranial Anatomy and Biogeography of the First Leptoceratops gracilis (Dinosauria: Ornithischia) Specimens from the Hell Creek Formation, Southeast Montana Christopher J. Ott12. Cranial Osteology and Phylogenetic Relationships of the Chasmosaurine Ceratopsid Torosaurus latus Andrew A. Farke13. Growth and Population Age Structure in the Horned Dinosaur Chasmosaurus Thomas M. Lehman14. Bone Resorption, Bone Lesions, and Extracranial Fenestrae in Ceratopsid Dinosaurs: A Preliminary Assessment Darren H. Tanke and Andrew A. Farke15. "Bison" alticornis and O. C. Marsh's Early Views on Ceratopsians Kenneth CarpenterIndex

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Book SynopsisAn up-to-date compilation written by authorities in particular aspects of ichnology. Considers the biological evidence that can be derived from trace fossils including both marine and terrestrial paleoenvironments. Features ancient and modern examples running the gamut from late Precambrian through fish coprolites to dinosaur eggs.Table of ContentsNomenclature and Taxonomy of Invertebrate Trace Fossils (R.Pickerill). Functional Morphology of Boring and Burrowing Invertebrates (E.Savazzi). The Paleobiology of Ichnocoenoses in Quaternary Bahamian-StyleCarbonate Environments: The Modern to Fossil Transition (H.Curran). The Period of Early Evolutionary Failure and the Dawn ofEvolutionary Success: The Record of Biotic Changes Across thePrecambrian-Cambrian Boundary (T. Crimes). The Paleoecology of Bioerosion (R. Bromley). The History of Phanerozoic Bioturbation (D. Bottjer & M.Droser). Plant Roots in Core (J. Bockelie). Insects and Other Arthropods as Trace-Makers in Non-MarineEnvironments and Paleoenvironments (S. Donovan). The Paleobiology of Vertebrate Coprolites (A. Hunt, et al.). Vertebrate Tracks and the Ichnofacies Concept: Implications forPaleoecology and Palichnostratigraphy (M. Lockley, et al.). The Fossil Record of Vertebrate Eggs (K. Hirsch). Index.

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Book SynopsisThe Rhaetian Penarth Group includes the former Westbury Beds, Cotham Beds, and White Lias. This diverse suite of late Triassic sedimentary rocks is famous for the fossils that it yields, most notably from the bone beds. This text provides comprehensive coverage of those fossils.

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Book Synopsis This is a comprehensive study of forest soils for foresters, wildlife and park managers, ecologists, and others interested in forest soils. It provides a valuable text for introductory and more advanced courses. The first ten chapters deal with basic soil information: texture, structure, and porosity; colour, temperature, and aeration; water; organic content; biological organisms and processes; chemistry; fertility; classification; and surveys. The last six chapters consider the components of the forest soil systems as related processes, discussing roots, fire, and water and nutrient cycles as they exist in natural forests and as they are modified by man. Professor Armson examines the process of forest soil development, and the place of soil as a part of a continuously changing landscape from both the historical and ecological viewpoints. An appendix describes the procedures for soil profile description and sampling. Full bibliographical references are supplied.

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Book SynopsisThis volume comprises 2 substantial papers that describe the Early Triassic (Smithian) ammonoids from the Salt Range (Pakistan) and the Spiti region of India. Ammonoids are abundant and well-preserved at many localities in these regions, and their highly resolved evolutionary succession is the key to stratigraphic correlation between the 2 areas, and with other Tethyan sequences such as those in southern Tibet and south China. Many new key genera and species are described.

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Book SynopsisCoastwise examines the coastline of the British Isles as a dynamic environment and offers you an understandable explanation of how the coastline functions as a single entity. It is supported by hundreds of stunning photos and illustrations. It begins by exploring how the forces of nature combine to create its physical features (and continue to do so). This is a multifaceted story that involves ancient geology and powerful ocean forces. It then turns to the living nature of the coast, covering the unique plants, animals and other organisms whose interdependence keeps the coast alive and healthy. These amazing creatures are described and displayed in full colour. The third part of the book looks at how humans have interacted with the coast, using it for defence, commerce and leisure. It explores these aspects from the earliest times to the present day. The final section shows, for each coastal region, where the features discussed in the book can be observed and enjoyed, giving you a practical way of exploring the elements described in the book. All aspects of the coast are covered, making it essential reading – or a wonderful gift – for all those who spend time on Britain’s coast. As Countryfile presenter, Tom Heap, says in his Foreword: “These pages are a practical love letter to Britain’s waterfront and no seaside holiday home should be without them.”Trade Review“This subtly passionate book is the perfect companion to anyone with an interest in the coast… As a sailor, scientist and programme maker Peter Firstbroook is clearly smitten by the bit of this country where solid meets liquid… The breadth of this book is staggering… Coastwise is unafraid of a little light science and much the better for it. Knowledge helps us get so much more out of the coast… These pages are a practical love letter to Britain’s waterfront and no seaside holiday home should be without them.” (Tom Heap, Countryfile Presenter) “Coastwise is a particularly well-structured book… Every statement is immediately illustrated with a photograph… In itself, it’s a thoroughly useful – and very attractive – volume… It would make a useful family possession and an excellent gift for interested youngsters, ready to make discoveries for themselves.” (Yachting Monthly) “Sailors and coastal dwellers and explorers will love it but everybody will find answers questions they’ve had about the shoreline… It’s jam-packed full of photographs and diagrams, and finds a perfect balance between sometimes complex concepts and easy reading. It’s accessible, very readable and endlessly fascinating. It’s basically an encyclopaedia of the coast.” (Kit Pascoe) “Whether you live there, work there or are just visiting, Coastwise is your perfect companion. His relaxed narrative, clear illustrations and beautiful photography will appeal to anyone with an interest in the world around them. Coastwise will educate and fascinate readers of all ages, as you’re guided around Britain and some of its most beautiful locations.” (RNLI Lifeboat) “All aspects of the coats are covered, making it essential reading – or a wonderful gift – for all those who spend time on Britain’s coast.” (Sailing Today) “Beautifully illustrated love letter to Britain’s coast.” (Ocean Sailor) “This splendid, substantial hardback book, with many wonderful photographs, covers the coast of the British Isles in just the right detail.” (Little Ship Club, Autumn)Table of ContentsForeword; Author’s Note; Introduction: This Precious Stone Set In The Silver Sea; PART ONE: THE PHYSICAL COAST: Headlands & Cliffs; Beaches, Bays & Barrier Islands; Estuaries, Wetlands & Salt Marshes; Waves, Whirlpools, Surges & Tides; Coastal Rocks & Fossils; PART TWO: THE LIVING COAST: Plankton & Plants; Free Drifters & Bottom Dwellers; Molluscs & Crustaceans; The Carnivores; Coastal Birds; PART THREE: THE HUMAN COAST: The Coast As Defence; The Commercial Coast; The Leisure Coast; PART FOUR: DISCOVERING THE BRITISH COAST; Acknowledgements & Credits; Index

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Book SynopsisThe book is divided into four sections, minerals, crystals, rocks and ores. Section A incorporates nine chapterss, begins with presenting salient features of the earth--its structure and composition. The second Minerals and Mineralogy briefly tells about their diversity and their categorisation and introduces the interesting way they are named. Crystal chemistry the third is the heart and soul of mineralogy and deals in somewhat details about the building blocks of minerals -atoms and ions and the way they form diverse types of minerals are. It tries to tell why every combination of chemical compounds cannot result into a naturally occurring mineral. The fourth and fifth s deal with Properties of Minerals, physical and optical. The section describe various physical properties that are helpful in the identification both in hand specimens and as thin section under the microscope. These two s are adequately aided with a number of illustrations, photographs and photomicrographs to bring home the point. five deals with classification of minerals and their occurrence and forms a prelude to the next two s on descriptive mineralogy. Important silicate and non silicate minerals are described in s eight and nine. A brief description of mineral uses is dealt with in both descriptive mineralogy as well Section D on mineral deposits, however, the last , Mineral uses presents an overall picture and will be interesting as well as educating to students and even general reader. Section B is devoted to crystals and crystallography. one introduces the subject while two presents basic crystallographic elements. three deals with the main six crystals systems while also giving a preliminary idea about stereographic projection and x-ray crystallography. Section C covers petrology, beginning with introduction to science of petrology, rock nomenclature. two is devoted to the study of igneous rocks, including their forms, composition, textures, structures, classification and description. Sedimentary rocks is the theme of three while different aspects of metamorphic rocks including kinds and agents of metamorphism and classification and description of metamorphism. The last portion of this also considers metamorphism in the background of global tectonics. five, the rock cycle presents a concise summary of geological events that have shaped the planet earth. The last section D is what geology is all about for a man on the street and its significance in nation building--the Ore minerals. It begins with what ore is and its place in human affairs as a well as presenting the important terminology in economic geology. two deals with ore genesis and presents various hypogene and supergene process that carves out ore deposits from non economic materials. three, mineral deposits and global tectonics is becoming a very popular theme among the earth scientists. A brief introduction of the same will be certainly appreciated by the student community and prompt them for further study in this direction. A general survey of Indias mineral resources is the theme of four. It covers almost all of the commonly used ores, metallic, non metallic or fuels. The last of section D and the boom, Indian mineral industry: some facts and figures will present where our country stands in the realm of mineral resources. Latest available data of resources, production, export, import, organisations that matter and other useful facts and figures are presented.

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Book SynopsisAll undergraduate and postgraduate students of science and engineering faculties will be benefited by this book. It is meant for all undergraduate and postgraduate students of civil engineering science faculty and geology irrespective of their specializations. This book is based mainly on a course of lectures prepared to cover the syllabus of engineering geology course in Universities all over the country. The book will be useful for Civil Engineering students of other universities also. The engineering geology portion of the book also covers the engineering geology included in the B.Sc, M. Sc and M. Tech courses in geology and the book will meet the requirements of students of geology as far as engineering geology is concerned like practicing engineers who need a simple introduction to the principles of geology which are important from the point of view of engineering will get them in this book."Table of ContentsSection 1. Introduction Section 2. Physical geology Section 3. Mineralogy Section 4. Peterology Section 5. Structural geology Section 6. Tectonics Section 7. Engineering geology

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Book SynopsisInspired by the lapidaries of the ancient world, this book is a beautifully designed collection of true stories about sixty different stones that have influenced our shared historyThe earliest scientists ground and processed minerals in a centuries-long quest for a mythic stone that would prolong human life. Michelangelo climbed mountains in Tuscany searching for the sugar-white marble that would yield his sculptures. Catherine the Great wore the wealth of Russia stitched in gemstones onto the front of her bodices. Through the realms of art, myth, geology, philosophy and power, the story of humanity can be told through the minerals and materials that have allowed us to evolve and create. From the Taiwanese national treasure known as the Meat-Shaped Stone to Malta’s prehistoric “fat lady” temples carved in globigerina limestone to the amethyst crystals still believed to have healing powers, Lapidarium is a jewel box of sixty fa

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Book SynopsisDescribes hundreds of minerals and lists their geographic distribution, physical properties, chemical composition, and crystalline structure.

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Book SynopsisPrepare to be dazzled by this shining and sumptuous visual guide to the world's greatest treasures.Feast your eyes on glittering gemstones, kaleidoscopic minerals, and famous trinkets in this comprehensive exploration of Earth's finest jewels.Following a foreword from Aja Raden, hundreds of pages take a lavish look at precious stones, precious metals, and organic gems in all their natural wonder. From agate to zoisite, everything under the Sun is encapsulated in spectacular photography and accessible text.Trace the history of gemmology and get the inside story on our planet's most famous and fabulous gems, including the mysterious Hope Diamond, the stunning Koh-i-Noor of the Crown Jewels, and exquisite Fabergé eggs. Find out their physical properties, check the price tags, and discover the most remarkable record-breakers.This exceptionally extravagant book is a picture-packed, fact-filled celebration guaranteed to bring sparkle to your life and yoTrade Review"Feast your eyes on the most beautiful encyclopedia of jewelry you will ever find." — Los Angeles Times"Gem offers a dazzling take at jewels." — The Star-Ledger

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