Search results for ""Peter Molnar" "Plate Tectonics""

Book SynopsisThe 1960s revealed a new and revolutionary idea in geological thought: that the continents drift with respect to one another. After having been dismissed for decades as absurd, the concept gradually became part of geology''s basic principles. We now know that the Earth''s crust and upper mantle consist of a small number of rigid plates that move, and there are significant boundaries between pairs of plates, usually known as earthquake belts. Plate tectonics now explains much of the structure and phenomena we see today: how oceans form, widen, and disappear; why earthquakes and volcanoes are found in distinct zones which follow plate boundaries; how the great mountain ranges of the world were built. The impact of plate tectonics is studied closely as these processes continue: the Himalaya continues to grow, the Atlantic is widening, and new oceans are forming. In this Very Short Introduction Peter Molnar provides a succinct and authoritative account of the nature and mechanisms of plate tectonics and its impact on our understanding of Earth.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade ReviewThis excellent guide to the plate tectonics revolution joins the superb Very Short Introduction series ... The book is peppered with engaging images ... illustrated with beautifully produced line drawings. * Dr Chris Pyle, Geography *yet another informative and engaging book in the wonderful Very Short Introductions series. * Guardian Online, Grrl Scientist *Table of Contents1. The basic idea ; 2. Seafloor spreading and magnetic anomalies ; 3. Fracture zones and transform faults ; 4. Subduction of oceanic lithosphere ; 5. Rigid plates of lithosphere ; 6. Tectonics of continents ; 7. Tectonics of continents ; Further reading ; Index

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Book SynopsisLynn R. Sykes played a key role in the birth of plate tectonics, conducting revelatory research on earthquakes. In this book, he gives an invaluable insider's perspective on the theory's development and its implications.Trade ReviewPlate Tectonics and Great Earthquakes is an enjoyable read about Lynn Sykes's firsthand experiences and historic contributions to seismology and to the world-shaking development of plate tectonics. -- Rick Aster, Warner College of Natural Resources, Colorado State UniversityA personal, firsthand tour through one of the great scientific revolutions of the past several centuries, from a major contributor to that revolution. -- Daniel Davis, Stony Brook UniversityLynn Sykes, one of the scientific revolutionaries who gave us plate tectonics, tells his story, with special emphasis on earthquake prediction. Although earthquake prediction has been a topic perceived by some as pursued only by “fools and charlatans,” Sykes defends it not only as worthy of pursuit but also, however imperfect, as likely to be societally valuable. -- Peter Molnar, Distinguished Professor of Geological Sciences, University of Colorado, BoulderLynn R. Sykes is world-renowned for his contributions to seismology. In this retrospective, he reflects on his fruitful scientific journey, from reading lots of seismograms and making fundamental contributions to the theory of plate tectonics and the understanding of great earthquakes, to the public policy implications of his earthquake research. -- Martin Reyners, GNS Science, New ZealandA leader in the plate tectonic revolution, Sykes also spearheaded studies of earthquake hazards and prediction for five decades. His unvarnished reflections and insights will captivate anyone intrigued by the irregular rhythms and spasms of the earth or curious about the scientists who strive to decipher them. -- Rob Wesson, former chief, USGS Office of Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Engineering, and author of Darwin’s First Theory: Exploring Darwin’s Quest for a Theory of EarthA career-capping tour de force that is part memoir, part scientific history. * Civil Engineering *Anyone interested in earthquakes and natural hazard science will enjoy reading Plate Tectonics and Great Earthquakes and will gain new insights, even on topics they are familiar with. * Times Higher Education *Table of ContentsPreface1. Transform Faults: My Road to Seafloor Spreading, Continental Drift, and Plate Tectonics2. Childhood, High School, MIT, and Columbia University3. Earthquakes Along Fracture Zones and Mid-Oceanic Ridges, 1963–19654. Earthquakes at Subduction Zones, 1965–19675. Subduction, Plate Tectonics, and the New Global Tectonics, 1967–19696. Earthquakes in the Caribbean and Alaska7. Long-Term Earthquake Prediction, Seismic Gaps: Alaska, Mexico, and South America8. The San Francisco Earthquake of 1906 and Long-Term Prediction for California9. My Work with the U.S. National Earthquake Prediction Evaluation Council10. Japanese Earthquakes and the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster11. Earthquakes in the Eastern and Central United States12. Earthquake Risks to Nuclear-Power Reactors13. Nuclear-Power Reactors in the United States: Lessons Learned from the Fukushima Disaster14. Travels to Earthquake Countries and a Trip to the Earth’s Mantle in Newfoundland15. Advances in Long-Term Earthquake Prediction: Future ProspectsAcknowledgmentsGlossaryReferencesIndexAbout the Author

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