Call number:
9783030780135 (e-book)
Description / Table of Contents:
The book describes the structure, composition and evolution of the Earth, the main geological processes occurring on it, and how some crucial environmental matters that are amply debated in the media (e.g. pollution, greenhouse effect) can be fully understood by placing them in the holistic context of the system Earth as a whole. It provides basic information on a series of key geological issues, from the structure and composition of the Earth to the large-scale processes that characterize our planet, such as rock alteration and sedimentation, magmatism, geomagnetism, seismicity, plate tectonics, cyclical migration of chemical elements through various Earth reservoirs (Geochemical Cycles), and evolution of the planet from Hadean to present. It intends to reach a wide readership, which is interested in our planet and wish to have a general and comprehensive view of its origin, evolution and activity. Potential readership includes undergraduate and advanced undergraduate students in Geology and other scientific disciplines, and any moderately- to well-educated people interested in the surrounding world and eager to gain a basic knowledge of the Earth and to reach an integrated view of how our planet is working. Includes debated issues of the environmental changes by framing them within the evolution and history of the Earth.
Type of Medium:
12
Pages:
1 Online-Ressource (xv, 223 Seiten)
,
Illustrationen
Edition:
2021, corrected publication 2022
ISBN:
9783030780135
,
978-3-030-78013-5
Uniform Title:
Aria, Acqua, Terra, Fuoco Come funziona il sistema Terra
URL:
Ebook (access only within the AWI network)
DOI:
10.1007/978-3-030-78013-5
Language:
English
Note:
Contents
1 The World Hidden Beneath Us - Structure and Composition of the Earth
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Xenoliths, Meteorites, Earthquakes: Witnesses of the Underground World
1.3 The Structure and Composition of the Earth
1.3.1 The Compositional Layering: Core, Mantle, and Crust
1.3.2 The Mechanical Layering: Inner Core, Outer Core, Convective Mantle, and Lithosphere
1.4 Summary
1.5 Box 1.1 - Minerals and Rocks
References
2 Air, Water, Earth - The Exogenic Geological Processes
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Rocks and Soils
2.3 The Atmosphere
2.4 The Hydrosphere
2.5 The Sedimentary Cycle: Air, Water and Earth at Work
2.5.1 Rocks Breakdown
2.5.2 Removal and Transportation of Weathering Products
2.5.3 Sediment Deposition
2.5.4 Diagenesis: Back to Rocks
2.6 The Remains of Mountains
2.7 The Fate of the Organic Matter
2.8 Summary
2.9 Box 2.1 - Water-Air-Earth Interaction: Some Basic Geochemistry
2.10 Box 2.2 - Limestone, a Most Meritorious Rock
References
3 Fire - How Magmatism Shaped the Earth
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Magmas: What They Are, How They Form
3.3 Magmatism and the Structure of the Earth
3.3.1 From Chaos to Order
3.4 Volcanism
3.4.1 Types of Volcanic Eruptions
3.4.2 Volcanism and the Terrestrial Environment
3.4.3 Large Igneous Provinces and Mass Extinctions
3.5 Global Distribution of Magmatism
3.6 Summary
3.7 Box 3.1 - Magmatism: How and Why
3.7.1 Main Types of Magma
3.7.2 Ascent, Diversification and Solidification of Magmas
3.8 Box 3.2 - Heat Flow and Geothermal Energy
3.9 Box 3.3 - Magmatism and Ore Deposits
References
4 Geomagnetism - The Space Shield of the Planet Earth
4.1 Introduction
4.2 The Earth’s Magnetic Field
4.3 Palaeomagnetism: The Magnetic Memory of Rocks
4.3.1 Magnetic Reversal
4.4 Palaeomagnetism, Continental Drift, and Ocean Floor Spreading
4.5 Summary
4.6 Box 4.1 - Geomagnetism: A Historical Perspective
4.7 Box 4.2 - Geomagnetism and the Biosphere
References
5 Seismicity—The Breath of a Restless Earth
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Rock Failure, Earthquakes, and Faults
5.2.1 Stress and Rock Deformation
5.2.2 Earthquakes and Faults
5.3 Seismic Waves
5.4 Seismographs and Seismograms
5.5 Earthquake Magnitude, Intensity and Frequency
5.6 Global Distribution of Earthquakes
5.7 Summary
5.8 Box 5.1- Earthquake Effects, Prediction, Forecasting, and Mitigation
References
6 Plate Tectonics - The Great Unifying Theory
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Fixism Versus Mobilism
6.2.1 The Theory of Continental Drift
6.2.2 From Continental Drift to Plate Tectonics
6.3 Plate Tectonics: The Framework
6.4 The Plate Boundaries
6.4.1 Divergent Boundaries
6.4.2 Convergent Boundaries
6.4.3 Transform Boundaries
6.5 Why Do Plates Move?
6.6 Where, When and Why Does Subduction Start
6.7 Summary
6.8 Box 6.1 - Linear Volcanism and Hotspots
6.9 Box 6.2 - The Continents
References
7 Geochemical Cycles - The Circulatory System of Planet Earth
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Geochemical Cycles: Some Definitions
7.3 The Water Cycle
7.4 The Sodium Cycle
7.5 The Carbon Biogeochemical Cycle
7.6 The Phosphorus Biogeochemical Cycle
7.7 The Nitrogen Biogeochemical Cycle
7.8 The Oxygen Cycle
7.9 The Iron Cycle
7.10 The Geochemical Cycles of Lead and Arsenic
7.11 Summary
7.12 Box 7.1 The Rock Cycle
7.13 Box 7.2 The Geochemical Cycles and the Age of the Earth
References
8 The Geochemical Cycles and the Environment - How Man is Changing the Earth
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Geochemical Cycles and Environmental Pollution
8.2.1 Toxic Elements
8.2.2 Phosphorus and Nitrogen Compounds
8.3 Environmental Aspects of the Carbon Cycle
8.3.1 CO2 and the Ocean Acidification
8.3.2 CO2 and the Greenhouse Effect
8.3.3 CO2 and Climatic Change: A Geological Perspective
8.3.4 A Lesson for the Future
8.4 Plastic Waste Pollution
8.5 Summary
8.6 Box 8.1 - Stable Isotopes: Measuring the Temperature of the Past
8.6.1 Some Basics of Isotope Geochemistry
8.6.2 The Delta Notation
8.6.3 Oxygen-Hydrogen Isotope Geothermometry
8.7 Box 8.2 - CO2 Sequestration: The message from Decameron
References
9 From Hadean to Anthropocene - The Endless Story of a Lucky Planet
9.1 Introduction
9.2 From the Solar Nebula to the Formation of Planets
9.3 Hadean: The Hellish Aeon (~4600–4000 Ma)
9.4 Archaean (4000–2500 Ma): The Dawn of Life and the Start of Modern Plate Tectonics
9.5 Proterozoic (2500–541 Ma): Oxygen, Eukaryotes, Supercontinents
9.6 Phanerozoic: The explosion of Complex Organisms (541–0 Ma)
9.6.1 The Spread of Animals and Plants
9.7 Finally, The Anthropocene
9.8 The Gaia Hypothesis
9.9 Summary
9.10 Box 9.1 - Geochronology: How Ages of Rocks, Fossils and Geologic Events Are Determined
9.10.1 Relative Age of Rocks and Fossils
9.10.2 Absolute Age
References
10 Epilogue
10.1 The Earth Anomaly
10.2 The Best of All Possible Worlds
10.3 Historical Times, Geological Times
10.4 Technology, Natural Resources and Environmental Impact
10.5 Natura, Non Nisi Parendo Vincitur
Correction to: Air, Water, Earth, Fire
Further Reading
Index
Permalink
