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Books > Earth & environment > Earth sciences > Structure & properties of the Earth
Published by the American Geophysical Union as part of the
Geophysical Monograph Series, Volume 160.Understanding the inner
workings of our planet and its relationship to processes closer to
the surface remains a frontier in the geosciences. Manmade probes
barely reach 10 km depth and volcanism rarely brings up samples
from deeper than 150 km. These distances are dwarfed by Earth's
dimensions, and our knowledge of the deeper realms is pieced
together from a range of surface observables, meteorite and solar
atmosphere analyses, experimental and theoretical mineral physics
and rock mechanics, and computer simulations. A major unresolved
issue concerns the nature of mantle convection, the slow (1-5
cm/year) solid-state stirring that helps cool the planet by
transporting radiogenic and primordial heat from Earth's interior
to its surface.
Expanding our knowledge here requires input from a range of
geoscience disciplines, including seismology, geodynamics, mineral
physics, and mantle petrology and chemistry. At the same time, with
better data sets and faster computers, seismologists are producing
more detailed models of 3-D variations in the propagation speed of
different types of seismic waves; new instrumentation and access to
state-of-the-art community facilities such as synchrotrons have
enabled mineral physicists to measure rock and mineral properties
at ever larger pressures and temperatures; new generations of mass
spectrometers are allowing geo-chemists to quantify minute
concentrations of diagnostic isotopes; and with supercomputers
geodynamicists are making increasingly realistic simulations of
dynamic processes at conditions not attainable in analogue
experiments. But many questions persist. What causes the lateral
variations in seismic wavespeed that we can image with mounting
accuracy? How reliable are extrapolations of laboratory
measurements on simple materials over many orders of magnitude of
pressure and temperature? What are the effects of volatiles and
minor elements on rock and mineral properties under extreme
physical conditions? Can ab initio calculations help us understand
material behavior in conditions that are still out of reach of
laboratory measurement? What was the early evolution of our planet
and to what extent does it still influence present-day dynamics?
And how well do we know such first-order issues as the average bulk
composition of Earth?
Geopressure, or pore pressure in subsurface rock formations impacts
hydrocarbon resource estimation, drilling, and drilling safety in
operations. This book provides a comprehensive overview of
geopressure analysis bringing together rock physics, seismic
technology, quantitative basin modeling and geomechanics. It
provides a fundamental physical and geological basis for
understanding geopressure by explaining the coupled mechanical and
thermal processes. It also brings together state-of-the-art tools
and technologies for analysis and detection of geopressure, along
with the associated uncertainty. Prediction and detection of
shallow geohazards and gas hydrates is also discussed and field
examples are used to illustrate how models can be practically
applied. With supplementary MATLAB (R) codes and exercises
available online, this is an ideal resource for students,
researchers and industry professionals in geoscience and petroleum
engineering looking to understand and analyse subsurface formation
pressure.
Geologically Active contains over 500 papers from 44 countries
worldwide, which were presented at the 11th Congress of the IAEG,
and includes the state-of-the-art on practise in engineering
geology. Engineering geology now extends into a host of linked
fields: disaster risk management and climate change, preservation
of lifelines, geophysics, interpretation of satellite imagery,
communication, instrumentation, mining, tunnelling, groundwater,
rehabilitation and brown-field development, wine, recyclable
materials, ethics, and education. Communication with
non-specialists and developing green solutions has never been more
important and the industry is evolving tools and emerging ideas to
more appropriately achieve this.
This volume brings together engineering, science and practice to
focus on the very real effects of active geological processes on
communities and infrastructure and their development. The theme of
Geologically Active is developed through five chapters focussing on
assessment and identification of natural hazards, the meeting of
geological phenomena with people and infrastructure to create risk,
approaches to hazard mitigation around the world, application of
engineering geological techniques and practice, site investigation
and geotechnical modelling, and engineering geology in the global
economy, bridging the gap between scientists, engineers and
non-practitioners in a changing world environment. Geologically
Active encourages the transformation of science research into
practice, offering a connection between scientific progress and
community resilience, and will be invaluable to engineering and
geological academics and consultants, government organizations, and
power and mining companies.
Why do earthquakes happen? What properties control the dynamic
rupture and what are the processes at play? Chapters in the present
volume capture the current state of the art by displaying an
overview of the existing knowledge on the physics of dynamic
faulting and promote multidisciplinary contributions on the
observational and experimental fault fabric and mechanics, the
evolution of fault zone physical and chemical properties, dynamic
rupture processes and physically, and observationally, consistent
numerical modeling of fault zone during seismic rupture. This
volume examines questions such as: * What are the dynamics
processes recorded in fault gouge? * What can we learn on rupture
dynamic from laboratory experiments? * How on-fault and off-fault
properties affect seismic ruptures? How do they evolve trough time?
* Insights from physically, and observationally, consistent
numerical modeling Fault Zone Dynamic Processes: Evolution of Fault
Properties During Seismic Rupture is a valuable contribution for
Earth s scientists, researchers and students interested in the
earthquakes processes and properties of on-fault and off-fault
zones. Its multidisciplinary content is relevant to a broad
audience: structural geologist, experimentalists, rocks
mechanicians, seismologist, geophysicists and modelers.
Volcanic eruptions are the clear and dramatic expression of dynamic processes in planet Earth. The author, one of the most profound specialists in the field of volcanology, explains in a concise and easy to understand manner the basics and most recent findings in the field. Based on over 300 color figures and the model of plate tectonics the book offers an insight in the generation of magmas and the occurrence and origin of volcanoes. The analysis and description of volcanic structures is followed by process oriented chapters discussing the role of magmatic gases as well as explosive mechanisms and sedimentation of volcanic material. The final chapters deal with the forecast of eruptions and their influence on climate. Students and scientists of a broad range of fields will use this book as an interesting and attractive source of information.
Whenever a volcano threatens to erupt, scientists and
adventurers from around the world flock to the site in response to
the irresistible allure of one of nature's most dangerous and
unpredictable phenomena. In a unique book probing the science and
mystery of these fiery features, the authors chronicle not only
their geologic behavior but also their profound effect on human
life. From Mount Vesuvius to Mount St. Helens, the book covers the
surprisingly large variety of volcanoes, the subtle to conspicuous
signs preceding their eruptions, and their far-reaching atmospheric
consequences. Here scientific facts take on a very human dimension,
as the authors draw upon actual encounters with volcanoes, often
through firsthand accounts of those who have witnessed eruptions
and miraculously survived the aftermath.
The book begins with a description of the lethal May 1980
eruption of Mount St. Helens--complete with an explanation of how
safety officials and scientists tried to predict events, and how
unsuspecting campers and loggers miles away struggled against
terrifying blasts of ash, stone, and heat. The story moves quickly
to the ways volcanoes have enhanced our lives, creating
mineral-rich land, clean thermal energy, and haunting landscapes
that in turn benefit agriculture, recreation, mining, and commerce.
Religion and psychology embroider the account, as the authors
explore the impact of volcanoes on the human psyche through tales
of the capricious volcano gods and attempts to appease them,
ranging from simple homage to horrific ritual sacrifice.
"Volcanoes" concludes by assisting readers in experiencing these
geological phenomena for themselves. An unprecedented "tourist
guide to volcanoes" outlines over forty sites throughout the world.
Not only will travelers find information on where to go and how to
get there, they will also learn what precautions to take at each
volcano. Tourists, amateur naturalists, and armchair travelers
alike will find their scientific curiosity whetted by this
informative and entertaining book.
Your interest is bound to be held by the contents of this work and
the amazing characters, their achievements and the other topics
dealt with herein. A search team was formed to find any remains of
the Ark of Noah. They recorded on tape, the amazing account by an
elderly Armenian living in the USA who had climbed onto the
petrified hulk of the Holy Ark, when his uncle took him up Mount
Ararat as a boy. His recorded account was subjected to the P.S.E
Test (Lie Test)and it passed. Read the amazing account of the
incredible Count St Germain, philosopher, alchemist and linguist,
who could manufacture diamonds and transmute gold and was friend of
Louis XV. Voltaire said to him He is a man who knows everything and
never dies. He discovered the elixir of youth. Various nobles and
dignitaries met him over the decades and he always looked the same.
Read about N.D.E's (near death experiences) ghosts, spirits and the
paranormal, the Atlantis myth, the story of Noah and more. The
title given to this work will now be obvious to all.
This volume covers near-source monitoring of seismogenic process,
in situ probing of active faults, and techniques for seismogenic
process monitoring. It is the outcome of multi-disciplinary
investigations conducted over a large range of size scales.
Unless they research the subject for themselves, many people do not
realise that the origins and development of the human entity are
largely an unresolved mystery. Before the Author's own research, he
was among them. He found that he also had been subtly indoctrinated
with such remarks 'cousins' and 'relatives' with regard to the apes
and assumed like most others, that all the facts where in. When you
read the work, you will find that this is simply not true. So
begins 'The Human Enigma', a truly epic enquiry into the origins of
our world and the creatures that walk upon. In particular, it
examines the human brain as a uniquely wonderful creation which can
be viewed as a gift from God (or was it the gods?) besides
Darwinian evolution and Biblical creation. This book explores the
fanatic proposition that mankind's rapid development with regard to
the human brain may have been influenced by extra terrestrial
sources. This work refers to, and draws together the previous work
of respected scientists and looks at the future scenarios that the
latest genetic and environmental sciences are pointing towards.
Popular culture is flourishing again, with a renewed interest in
the ET and UFO phenomena. We are inundated with films, TV
programmes and books, plus many conspiracy theories, dealing with
the phenomena. Governments and security agencies are denying any
interest in the issue, yet releasing masses of documents (mostly
unreadable) after being compelled to, by the Freedom of Information
Act. Such speculation and documentation in ancient writings
suggests that an unearthly presence has been in Earth-space for
many generations. The question of this situation must reach a
culminating point sometime in the near future. This book is
concerned with the cultural shock and social disorientation that
would obviously occur with a sudden appearance en-mass of an alien
race finally revealing themselves to humanity and how the people of
Earth would react.
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