Best of
Geology

2010

The Charles Bowden Reader


Charles Bowden - 2010
    His own corner of the world, the desert borderlands between the United States and Mexico, is Bowden’s prime focus, and through books, magazine articles, and newspaper journalism he has written eloquently about key issues roiling the border—drug-related violence that is shredding civil society, illegal immigration and its toll on human lives and the environment, destruction of fragile ecosystems as cities sprawl across the desert and suck up the limited supplies of water. This anthology gathers the best and most representative writing from Charles Bowden’s entire career. It includes excerpts from his major books—Killing the Hidden Waters, Blue Desert, Desierto: Memories of the Future, Blood Orchid, Blues for Cannibals, A Shadow in the City, Inferno, Exodus, and Some of the Dead Are Still Breathing—as well as articles that appeared in Esquire, Harper’s, Mother Jones, and other publications. Imbued with Bowden’s distinctive rhythm and lyrical prose, these pieces also document his journey of exploration—a journey guided, in large part, by the question posed in Some of the Dead Are Still Breathing: “How do we live a moral life in a culture of death?” This is no metaphor; Bowden is referring to the people, history, animals, and ecosystems that are being extinguished in the onslaught of twenty-first-century culture. The perfect introduction to his work, The Charles Bowden Reader is also essential for those who know him well and want to see the whole panorama of his passionate, intense writing.

Collecting Rocks, Gems and Minerals: Identification, Values, Lapidary Uses


Patti Polk - 2010
    Three Guides in One! Identification, Values, Lapidary UsesDesigned with beginners in mind, yet filled with valuable technical information for advanced collectors, "Collecting Rocks, Gems and Minerals" takes you from being just someone who appreciates rocks to a true "collector."Easy-to-use, quick reference format arranged by category and color of stoneCovers both lapidary and mineral display materialsProvides values and tips for locating, buying and collectingIncludes organics such as amber, bone, coral, pearl and shellLists chemical group, system, hardness, opacity, fracture, specific gravity and moreContains more than 650 full-color photosForeword by Johann Zenz, world renowned agate expert, author and lecturer

Geology Underfoot in Yosemite National Park


Allen F. Glazner - 2010
    Many of the features that visitors find most tantalizing about Yosemite have unique and compelling geologic stories — tales that continue to unfold today in vivid, often destructive ways. While visiting more than twenty-seven amazing sites, you’ll discover why many of Yosemite’s domes shed rock shells like onion layers, what happens when a volcano erupts under a glacial lake, and why rocks seem to be almost continually tumbling from the region’s cliffs. With a multitude of colorful photos and illustrations, and prose tooled for the lay reader, Geology Underfoot in Yosemite National Park will help you read the landscape the way a geologist does.The Geology Underfoot series encourages you to get out of your car for an up-close look at rocks and landforms. These books inform and enlighten, no matter how much — or how little — geology you already know. What’s more, they’re simply good reading, on-site or at home.

Structural Geology


Haakon Fossen - 2010
    The book provides unique links to industry applications in the upper crust, including petroleum and groundwater geology, which highlight the importance of structural geology in exploration and exploitation of petroleum and water resources. Topics range from faults and fractures forming near the surface to shear zones and folds of the deep crust. Students are engaged through examples and parallels drawn from practical everyday situations, enabling them to connect theory with practice. Containing numerous end-of-chapter problems, e-learning modules, and with stunning field photos and illustrations, this book provides the ultimate learning experience for all students of structural geology.

Michigan Rocks & Minerals: A Field Guide to the Great Lake State


Dan R. Lynch - 2010
    Lynch and Bob Lynch, Michigan Rocks & Minerals features comprehensive entries for 96 different types of common rocks and rare finds, including everything from Petoskey stone and copper to gold and agates. The easy-to-use format means you'll quickly find what you need to know and where to look, while the authors' photographs depict the detail needed for identification—no need to guess from line drawings. With this field guide in hand, identifying and collecting can be fun and informative.

The Traveller's Guide to Planet Earth


Lonely Planet - 2010
    Prepare to be overwhelmed by the grandeur and majesty of the planet - then go out and experience it.

The New Crystal Bible: 500 Crystals to Heal Your Body, Mind and Spirit. Cassandra Eason


Cassandra Eason - 2010
    'The New Crystal Bible' is the definitive reference guide to using 500 crystals to heal your body, mind and spirit.

Geomorphology


Robert S. Anderson - 2010
    Insight into the interpretation of landscapes is developed from basic principles and simple models, and by stepping through the equations that capture the essence of the mechanics and chemistry of landscapes. Boxed worked examples and real-world applications bring the subject to life for students, allowing them to apply the theory to their own experience. The book covers cutting edge topics, including the revolutionary cosmogenic nuclide dating methods and modeling, highlights links to other Earth sciences through up-to-date summaries of current research, and illustrates the importance of geomorphology in understanding environmental changes. Setting up problems as a conservation of mass, ice, soil, or heat, this book arms students with tools to fully explore processes, understand landscapes, and to participate in this rapidly evolving field.

Plate Tectonics


Wolfgang Frisch - 2010
    How are mountains formed? Why are there old and young mountains? Why do the shapes of South America and Africa fit so well together? Why is the Pacific surrounded by a ring of volcanoes and earthquake prone areas while the edges of the Atlantic arerelatively peaceful?Frisch, Meschede, and Blakeyanswer all these questions and more through the presentation and explanation of the geo-dynamic processes upon which the theory of continental drift is based and which have lead to the concept of plate tectonics."

Rocks and Minerals


Steve Tomecek - 2010
    From talcum powder to silver jewelry, it all comes from inside this great big rock we live on. A high-interest topic for youngsters as well as an important segment of the elementary science curriculum, this book is in a kid-pleasing format and includes a bonus activity.National Geographic supports K-12 educators with ELA Common Core Resources.Visit www.natgeoed.org/commoncore for more information.

Geology Unfolded


Thomas H. Morris - 2010
    Special features include: aerial photographs for views and insights not obtainable from ground level, an illustrated glossary, stratigraphic columns of each park, and fast facts of each park. Written for the geologically curious by professors who have used the parks as their classroom to educate a generation of geoscientists.

Ripley's Believe It or Not! Extreme Earth


Ripley Entertainment Inc. - 2010
    Each book will be organized into recognizable subject areas but will feature a strong element of #145;Believe It or Not!#8217; with extraordinary supplementary features to grab the reader#8217;s attention.PAvailable individually or as a series, each book also includes a pull-out poster and cut-out collector cards featuring jaw-dropping images and information designed to stretch the imagination to its limits. With the upbeat text containing a high #145;yuk#8217; factor#151;greatly beloved of the 7#150;10 years target age group#151;and lively interactive design, each of the Ripley Twists will captivate and amaze.PAs entertaining as they are educational, these books will go down a storm with kids#151;young readers will barely notice how much information they are absorbing as they travel through these bright page-turners.P

Geology of Utah's Parks and Monuments


Paul S. Anderson - 2010
    A few of the areas covered are Arches, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Dinosaur, Goblin Valley, Snow Canyon . . .and more!

Life of Earth: Portrait of a Beautiful, Middle-Aged, Stressed-Out World


Stanley A. Rice - 2010
    Unlike most books on earth history, which present the story of life on our planet in terms of one chronological period after another, the author discusses Earth’s teeming diversity in terms of pivotal evolutionary developments. Among these he stresses the importance of symbiosis, sex, and altruism as key determinants of the Earth’s biodiversity. Symbiosis—when single cells began working together—sparked the sudden appearance of complex animals. Much later symbiotic relationships led to flowering plants that depended on animals for pollination and seed dispersal. With the advent of sexual selection, there developed an astonishing world of complex behavior and a dizzying array of life forms. In humans, sexual selection exerted a great influence on the development of our large brains. Altruism—when species learned to work together—resulted in even greater variety and complexity. In early humans, altruism gave rise to ever-widening social circles and the spread of culture. The author also discusses the role of photosynthesis in establishing and maintaining life on earth; the evidence for ancient natural catastrophes, which caused widespread extinctions; and the importance of religion and the recent use of scientific reasoning in the development and the future of the human species. This eloquent, panoramic perspective is well designed to foster an appreciation for the scope of life on Earth and to encourage wise stewardship of the natural world on which our survival depends.

Geological Field Techniques


Angela L. Coe - 2010
    This textbook explains the main data gathering techniques used by geologists in the field and the reasons for these, with emphasis throughout on how to make effective field observations and record these in suitable formats. Equal weight is given to assembling field observations from igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rock types. There are also substantial chapters on producing a field notebook, collecting structural information, recording fossil data and constructing geological maps. The volume is in a robust and handy size, with colour coded chapters for ease of use and quick reference in the field. Geological Field Techniques is designed for students, amateur enthusiasts and professionals who have a background in geology and wish to collect field data on rocks and geological features. Teaching aspects of this textbook include:step-by-step guides to essential practical skills such as using a compass-clinometer, making a geological map and drawing a field sketch; tricks of the trade, checklists, flow charts and short worked examples; over 200 illustrations of a wide range of field notes, maps and geological features; appendices with the commonly used rock description and classification diagrams; a supporting website hosted by Wiley Blackwell.

Glossary of Geology


Klaus K.E. Neuendorf - 2010
    Many definitions provide a syllabification guide and background information. Thus a reader will learn the difference between look-alike pairs, such as sylvanite (a mineral) and sylvinite (a rock); the origin of terms; the meaning of abbreviations and acronyms common in the geosciences vocabulary; the dates many terms were first used; the meaning of certain prefixes; and the preferred term of two or more synonyms. The authority of this edition, like that of its predecessors, rests on the expertise of geoscientists from many specialties, who have reviewed definitions, added new terms, and cited references. Their contributions make the Glossary an essential reference work for all in the geosciences community.

The Geology of Northern New Mexico's Parks, Monuments, and Public Lands


L. Greer Price - 2010
    boast as rich a diversity of landscape and public lands as northern New Mexico. Here in one volume is an authoritative overview of the geology of these parks, monuments, and public lands, with information on the regional setting, the rock record, and the most prominent geologic features. With nearly 300 full-color geologic maps, graphics, and photographs, the book is a perfect introduction to the some of New Mexico's most significant geologic landscapes.

Arizona Rocks & Minerals: A Field Guide to the Grand Canyon State


Bob Lynch - 2010
    The easy-to-use format means you'll quickly find what you need to know and where to look, while the authors' photographs depict the detail needed for identification - no need to guess from line drawings. With this field guide in hand, identifying and collecting can be fun and informative.

Written in Water: Messages of Hope for Earth's Most Precious Resource


Irena Salina - 2010
    In their own words, authors tell of such tragedies as water slavery, drought, or contamination, as well as their own professional struggles and successes in pursuit of freshwater solutions. Contributors include: Alexandra Cousteau, social environmental advocate and granddaughter of legendary marine scientist Jacques Cousteau; Peter Gleick, environmental visionary and winner of a 2003 MacArthur "genius grant"; Bill McKibben, bestselling author and winner of a Guggenheim fellowship; Sylvia Earle, oceanographer and Time magazine’s first "hero for the planet"; and Christine Todd Whitman, former head of the Environmental Protection Agency, along with more than a dozen other notable people.These visionaries’ stories touch, surprise, and amaze as they help us see the essential role played by water in our world, our lives, and our future. These are all people who are thinking far beyond the realm of self; they are devoted to creating a better world for all of us.

Written in Stone: Evolution, the Fossil Record, and Our Place in Nature


Brian Switek - 2010
    . . superbly shows that ‘[i]f we can let go of our conceit,’ we will see the preciousness of life in all its forms.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)“Highly instructive . . . a warm, intelligent yeoman’s guide to the progress of life.”—Kirkus Reviews“Magisterial . . . part historical account, part scientific detective story. Switek’s elegant prose and thoughtful scholarship will change the way you see life on our planet. This book marks the debut of an important new voice.”—Neil Shubin“Elegantly and engagingly crafted, Brian Switek’s narrative interweaves stories and characters not often encountered in books on paleontology—at once a unique, informative and entertaining read.”—Niles Eldredge“If you want to read one book to get up to speed on evolution, read Written in Stone. Brian Switek’s clear and compelling book is full of fascinating stories about how scientists have read the fossil record to trace the evolution of life on Earth.”—Ann Gibbons“[Switek's] accounts of dinosaurs, birds, whales, and our own primate ancestors are not just fascinating for their rich historical detail, but also for their up-to-date reporting on paleontology’s latest discoveries.”—Carl Zimmer"After reading this book, you will have a totally new context in which to interpret the evolutionary history of amphibians, mammals, whales, elephants, horses, and especially humans.”—Donald R. ProtheroSpectacular fossil finds make today's headlines; new technology unlocks secrets of skeletons unearthed a hundred years ago. Still, evolution is often poorly represented by the media and misunderstood by the public. A potent antidote to pseudoscience, Written in Stone is an engrossing history of evolutionary discovery for anyone who has marveled at the variety and richness of life.

Biology of the Sauropod Dinosaurs: Understanding the Life of Giants


Nicole Klein - 2010
    What were these creatures like as living animals and how could they reach such uniquely gigantic sizes? A dedicated group of researchers in Germany in disciplines ranging from engineering and materials science to animal nutrition and paleontology went in search of the answers to these questions. Biology of the Sauropod Dinosaurs reports on the latest results from this seemingly disparate group of research fields and integrates them into a coherent theory regarding sauropod gigantism. Covering nutrition, physiology, growth, and skeletal structure and body plans, this volume presents the most up-to-date knowledge about the biology of these enormous dinosaurs.

The Origins of Life


David Deamer - 2010
    How the first self-replicating systems emerged from prebiotic chemistry and evolved into primitive cell-like entities is an area of intense research, spanning molecular and cellular biology, organic chemistry, cosmology, geology, and atmospheric science. Written and edited by experts in the field, this collection from Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology provides a comprehensive account of the environment of the early Earth and the mechanisms by which the organic molecules present may have self-assembled to form replicating material such as RNA and other polymers. The contributors examine the energetic requirements for this process and focus in particular on the essential role of semi-permeable compartments in containment of primitive genetic systems. Also covered in the book are new synthetic approaches for fabricating cellular systems, the potentially extraterrestrial origin of life's building blocks, and the possibility that life once existed on Mars. Comprising five sections Setting the Stage, Components of First Life, Primitive Systems, First Polymers, and Transition to a Microbial World it is a vital reference for all scientists interested in the origin of life on Earth and the likelihood that it has arisen on other planets

Major Transitions In Evolution


NOT A BOOK - 2010
    

Sedona Through Time: A Guide to Sedona's Geology


Wayne Ranney - 2010
    But how did al this marvelous scenery come to be? And what was the specific sequence of geologic events that created this world-renowned landscape? The answers are sure to surprise and delight your interest.

Agates Inside Out


Karen Brzys - 2010
    This agate book has been compiled to help rockhounds to "think like an agate." Information and photographs are included to help beginning and experienced agate hunters to understand agates "inside out."

The Environment


Encyclopædia Britannica - 2010
    The Britannica Illustrated Science Series is a visually compelling series that covers earth science, life science, and physical science in 16 volumes. Created for ages 10 and up, each volume provides an overview on a subject and thoroughly explains it through detailed and powerful graphics-more than 1,000 per volume-that turn complex subjects into information that students can grasp. Each title contains a glossary with full definitions for vocabulary help and an index.

Encyclopaedia Britannica Interactive Science Book: Humans


Encyclopædia Britannica - 2010
    The book is part of a six-book library. The books are available separately and also are sold in sets of three and a set of six.The SD-X Interactive Reader is a battery-powered pen that reads text on the book pages and also offers audio content such as facts and sound effects. The Reader works only with the six Encyclopaedia Britannica Interactive Science Library books. Each book has two hours of audio content.The Encyclopaedia Britannica Interactive Science Book: Humans covers millions of years of human activity on Earth, starting with the earliest hominids more than four million years ago and continuing through Neanderthal man 160,000 years ago, right up to modern man. The book takes a wide look at what man has achieved, and a close look at how the human body is comprised and functions. The book truly looks at human beings from every angle—all accessible in an enhanced format using the SD-X Interactive Reader.

The Riches Beneath Our Feet: How Mining Shaped Britain


Geoff Coyle - 2010
    In that period of more than 4,000 years the country's miners have produced colossal amounts of copper, tin, lead, zinc, iron, a lot of silver and some gold, and smaller amounts of just about every other metal from arsenic to uranium.The metals were the foundation of our industrial wealth and ease of living but they were driven by King Coal, which at its peak employed a million men and produced more than 200 million tons a year. Granite from Scotland, limestone from Southern England, sandstone and Welsh slate provided our homes, factories, roads and harbours. None of this could have been achieved without the genius of engineers such as James Watt, and the invention of powerful steam engines and many other technical advances. Our good fortune in this cornucopia of wealth derives from the Island's astonishing geological history: what is now Southern England was once on the Antarctic Circle.Professor Geoff Coyle, a former mining engineer and from a mining family himself, sketches the story of how mining has shaped Britain. The account is wide ranging, involving stories of the mineral wealth of Britain and its exploitation, from simple quarrying to the advent of mass production. There are tales of the miners' lives and the great mining families, as well as accounts of the miner's work, the conditions in the mines, and mining disasters. Coyle weaves his personal experience and passion into the story, illuminating the industrial history, geology, and technology. Each chapter highlights one of the main mining fields and explores the mineral in question, its exploitation, and how technological changes affected the mining techniques used.