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High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! L??ihi Seamount is an active undersea volcano located around 35 km (22 mi) off the southeast coast of the island of Hawai?i. It lies on the flank of Mauna Loa, the largest shield volcano on Earth. L??ihi Seamount is the newest volcano in the Hawaiian-Emperor seamount chain, a string of volcanoes that stretches over 5,800 km (3,600 mi) northwest of L??ihi and the island of Hawai?i. Unlike most active volcanoes in the Pacific ocean that make up the active plate margins on the Pacific Ring of Fire, L??ihi and the other volcanoes of the Hawaiian-Emperor seamount chain are hotspot volcanoes and formed well away from the nearest plate boundary. Volcanoes in the Hawaiian Islands arise from the Hawai?i hotspot, and as the youngest volcano in the chain, L??ihi is the only Hawaiian volcano in the deep submarine preshield stage of development ... Read more

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High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The geology of the Lassen volcanic area presents a record of sedimentation and volcanic activity in the area in and around Lassen Volcanic National Park in Northern California, U.S.. The park is located in the southernmost part of the Cascade Mountain Range in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. Oceanic tectonic plates have plunged below the North American Plate in this part of North America for hundreds of millions of years. Heat from these subducting plates have fed scores of volcanoes in California, Oregon, Washington and British Columbia over at least the past 30 million years (see Geology of the Pacific Northwest) and is also responsible for activities in the Lassen volcanic area. Between 3 and 4 million years ago, volcanic-derived mud flows called lahars streamed down several major mountains that included nearby but now extinct Mount Yana and Mount Maidu to become the Tuscan Formation ... Read more

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High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Structural geology is the study of the three-dimensional distribution of rock units with respect to their deformational histories. The primary goal of structural geology is to use measurements of present-day rock geometries to uncover information about the history of deformation (strain) in the rocks, and ultimately, to understand the stress field that resulted in the observed strain and geometries. This understanding of the dynamics of the stress field can be linked to important events in the regional geologic past; a common goal is to understand the structural evolution of a particular area with respect to regionally widespread patterns of rock deformation (e.g., mountain building, rifting) due to plate tectonics. ... Read more

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Hayward Fault Zone. Fault (geology), Seafloor spreading, Subduction, Plate tectonics, Earthquake, Bay mud, Soil liquefaction, Landslide, Bay Area Rapid Transit, Seismic retrofit ... Read more

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The definitive history of plate tectonics, told by thescientists who developed and assembled evidence for the theory.

Can anyone today imagine the earth without its puzzle-piece construction of plate tectonics? The very term, "plate tectonics," coined only thirty-five years ago, is now part of the vernacular, part of everyone's understanding of the way the earth works.

The theory, research, data collection, and analysis that came together in 1967 to constitute plate tectonics is one of the great scientific breakthroughs of the 20th century. Scholarly books have been written about tectonics, but none by the key scientists-players themselves. In Plate Tectonics, editor Naomi Oreskes has assembled those scientists who played key roles in developing the theory to tell - for the first time, and in their own words - the stories of their involvement in the extraordinary evolution of the theory.Amazon.com Review
Widely dismissed as crank science in earlier generations, the theory of plate tectonics--which explains the movement of continents in geological time, as well as the formation of the earth's major features--is now largely accepted as fact within the scientific community.

Drawing on the memories of major theoreticians in the field, scientist and historian Naomi Oreskes offers a vivid history of just how that transformation occurred. She describes the early quest on the part of James Dana, Alfred Wegner, J. H. Hodgson, and other scientists to account for the mechanics of earthquakes and certain puzzling features of geomorphology, a quest widened and strengthened by the work of deep-ocean explorers who were able, beginning in the 1960s, to study tectonics at work far below the surface of the world's waters. Such advances, as pioneer Peter Molnar and others explain, did not immediately change the way geologists went about their work, but they quickly went on to revolutionize science--and then, as such things do, to become orthodox.

A useful reference for students of geology and the history of science, this book is also easily accessible to nonspecialists. --Gregory McNamee ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Plate Techtonic
I was thinking this was the real verison of the Book I had in Collage. It will do for now.

Plate Tectonics
Plate Tectonics:An Insider's History of the Moden Theory of the Earth edited by Naomi Oreskes is a book about the movement of the land masses on the Earth and how the theory of plate tectonics came about.In the book there are seventeen original essays by the scientists who made earth history as they explain how placte tectonics works.

Plate tectonics is a science that you'd think has been around for a long time, but in fact, not until 1968 has the theory, research, data collection and analysis came together.The movement of relatively static land masses was not a popular idea, especially in the oil industry, where they believed that tectonics was not a viable theory.

This book takes us on a journey in history giving us a historical background of continental drift to plate tectonics.What I find extemely interesting about this book is the actual players in the development of the theory are represented here.Giving their accounts and insight into why things are as they are... explaining their thought processes in confirmation of the theory of plate tectonics.

Each author gives a piece of the puzzle until there is enough evidence that a workable theory can be developed.These authors tell us in their own words, making for a compelling book about discovery.Also, the reader will find an overview of definitions of terms used throughout the book, this keeps the readers interest as you will not be overburdoned with terms you do not understnd.

All in all, this is a very readable book as it explains the science of plate tectonics and the inter-relationship of this science to man's well-being on earth.

Delightful "insiders' history"
This book will delight all historians of science.The indefatigable Naomi Oreskes, known for her excellent history of continental drift and plate tectonics, has assembled reminiscences by the surviving founders of plate tectonics theory.Dr. Oreskes deserves the highest praise for this. Alas, the senior figures such as Arthur Holmes and Harry Hess are no longer with us; the writers of these essays were graduate students in the critical early 1960s.Now elders themselves, they recall the excitement of coming on the scene just when all was breaking loose. Even the most sober number-crunchers manage to write with infectious enthusiasm.The theories are explained in a notably accessible fashion, and the varied intellectual currents of the time (and, in some essays, subsequent decades) are brought out. My one complaint--as a reader interested in the history of science--is that the writers don't say much about their personal lives.One suspects that some of them have no personal lives beyond number-crunching.Most, however, hint at or partially reveal rich and interesting backgrounds that clearly affected their thoughts. Only Peter Molnar does much more than hint, and, although he claims that one reader called his essay "unexpurgated," even he is rather reticent.Still, this volume is a gold mine, providing a very different look at one of the most "revolutionary" (in scare quotes) theoretical advances in the history of science. The consensus here seems to be that it was indeed a revolution, at least in the eyes of American graduate students of the 1960s, but not a Kuhnian revolution brought about by highly intellectualized "paradigm shifts" (Kuhn 1962); it was brought about by new field methods that brought floods of new data. These allowed the development of real mathematical models.One can only stand in awe of the amount of work this entailed. Several authors speak of working day and night, week after week, on data entry and computer jockeying. They managed this without any loss of enthusiasm--quite the reverse, apparently.Ah, youth.

Plate Tectonics as told by those that assembled the theory
This is a highly informative account of both the ideas that led to the development of Plate Tectonic theory and the concepts of how the earth works. The book is engaging to read and is understandable to an audience at the level of Scientific American. I am using it as a required text in my course at Columbia University titled "Plate-tectonic theory and its geological corollaries". For those fascinated in how the human mind puts observations together to build ideas and then test them, this book is first rate. Each chapter is crafted by a different researcher describing his or her contribution to the over all theory. The reader encounters brilliant and original ideas discarded by peer review, scientists peeping over each other's shoulder, the rush to the goal line to publish first, competition for access to key data sets, a last minute conversion from the static earth perspective, and the thrill of exploration at sea. The authors presents a wonderful history in Chapter 1 of the intellectual passage from the first inkling of continental drift in the 16th century to the breakthrough in 1966-1968 of the full-blown theory of rigid lithosphere paving stones and narrow plate boundaries. ... Read more

Product Description
Palaeomagnetism, plates, hot spots, trenches and ridges are the subject of this unusual book. Plate Tectonics is a book of exercises and background information that introduces and demonstrates the basics of the subject. In a lively and lucid manner, it brings together a great deal of material in spherical trigonometry that is necessary to understand plate tectonics and the research literature written about it. It is intended for use in first year graduate courses in geophysics and tectonics, and provides a guide to the quantitative understanding of plate tectonics. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Plate Tectonics How it works, excellent learning tool
This book provides an understanding of the foundations of plate tectonics. It breaks up the methods of plate tectonic studies into its basic components then slowly builds into the larger picture of global tectonics. The authors being key figures in the original idea of plate tectonics truly know the science behind this field of study. ... Read more

Product Description
For the Second Edition of Earth Structure: An Introduction to Structural Geology and Tectonics, the authors have heavily revised each chapter while preserving the overall structure of the First Edition. The Second Edition also benefits from new artwork that clearly illustrates complex concepts.

New to the Second Edition:

• New Chapter 15, "Geophysical Imaging," by Frederick Cook
• Within Chapters 21 and 22, four new essays on "Regional Perspectives" discuss the European Alps, the Altaids, the Appalachians, and the Cascadia Wedge.
• New and updated art for more informative illustration of concepts. The Second Edition now has 570 black & white figures.

Customer Reviews (7)

great for class
the book arrived in time.. in great condition.. a little bit of highlighting as it had noted before purchase.

ok, but not great
The book is fairly well written, though is a a little advanced.Through the chapters, many topics "cycle"; you will see them again and again.If you are unaware that is the intention, the book seems to be everywhere without actually saying anything.It would be good if there were some sort of examples or exercises at the end so it could be used with a lab.Easy to read.

Decent book
decent price on an expensive book, good condition considering it was used. I would buy from this seller again

This book is all over the place
It was far to difficult, I think each chapter is written by someone else and it shows because it does not flow well. It goes off on tangents.. overall this book is horrible I hated it

Geologist
I purchased these book hoping it would be complete and accurate. I have noticed a trend amoung Geology Professors to produce books and lab manuals that are full of errors. I have often wondered if the Professor's know their stuff. This book is adequate in its coverage of the information typical of a introductory Structual Geology course. It, as most geology text books, is lacking in worked problems on mechanics and everything else. I would like to see this author expand his book in the tradition of K. A. Stroud's ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS and show complete solutions to all/many types of problems that an student may encounter as a Structural Geologsit/Geologist. Maybe they could add a supplement and title it STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY FOR STUDENTS. When I was in school, the only Lab Manual was the one by Ragan, 1973, and his explanations of problems, combined with his writting style, left me confussed and frustrated. I was too dumb to know he had many equation written backwards, which explains why I always could not seem to get the same answer I derived using graphical methods when I attempted to test my answers with the trig methods presented in his work. In this Strucural Geology text, I experienced some of that same old frustration from school on page 51, "Adventures with the Mohr circle." The explanation of how to calculate and draw the circle was too brief. Also, this would have been a good opportunity for the authors to take the student by the hand, in the K.A. Stroud tradition, and walk them through this problem. Also, it is my opinion that these two authors spend too much time discussing regional perspectives in Part E of their book. Most courses fail to get that far in one semester. It is subject matter best left to a course on tectonics, at a more advanced level in a geologist training. Many Geology Departments forget that they are training scientist and have the tendency to become secretive of their materials and sources, all for the sake of arrogance and that perfect Bell Grading Curve. This damages their ability to train students to be the best geoscientist possible in a changing world. ... Read more

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Scott Baldridge presents a concise guide to the geology of the Southwestern U.S. Two billion years of Earth history are represented in the rocks and landscape of the Southwest U.S., creating natural wonders such as the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, and Death Valley. This region is considered a geologist's "dream", attracting a large number of undergraduate field classes and amateur geologists. The volume will prove invaluable to students and will also appeal to anyone interested in the geology and landscape of the region's National Parks. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Never got it
On 16 Aug 2010, I received an email notification from Amazon that the supplier shipped my order and how it was coming. On 18 Aug 2010, I received another email notification from Amazon saying the product was out of stock and couldn't be found anywhere, at which time Amazon refunded the purchase price.

Don't have any idea if the book is any good. I responded to the review because I thought it was interesting that Amazon believes they sent the book.

If anyone reading this review can tell me where I can find the book, I'd appreciate that.

Geology of Arizona, New Mexico and north-central Mexico
This is book for a geologist, not a beginner. As professional scientist I found it very interesting but struggled with the geology verbiage and endless names of different formations. If you know the subject well already you will gain insight through the concentration on plate tectonics, the reason I chose the book. But, it soon gets you buried in the lingo of geologists of these areas and it is easy to lose track of what has been covered. The author covers a vast range of time, from 4 billion years ago to the present and, using plate tectonics as the background you gain some insight into how the area came to be. The main problem for me, as a non-specialist, is that I got buried in the detail and in the stilted text so beloved of authors on similar subjects.

positive reciew of SW geology
I have been looking for this kind of book for years and this hit it right on the spot. The condition and price were also spot on. thanks

It's a terrific book!
This book is terrific! As a foreigner, I learned a lot about the history of geology by reading this book. Highly recommended.

The big geologic picture on a land where geology dominates the view
The title of this book says it all.The story begins two billion years ago and follows the formation of the continental crust of what is now the southwestern US.It then follows that chunk of land to the present, as supercontinents form and disintegrate, island chains collide, and mountains rise and fall.Unlike so many books about the geology of the southwest, Baldridge focuses on the plate tectonics behind the processes.This approach allows the reader to understand the "why" behind advancing and retreating seas, uplifts, faults and volcanoes.The geographic area studied is the southwest, although the Colorado Plateau seems to gather the most attention.It is seen in a broad geological context that includes what happened in places like Death Valley, the Rio Grande Rift and Southern Rocky Mountains. Baldridge places his explanation in standard geologic time, but his chapter breaks are in locations driven by the regional geology, not the standard hierarchy.For a Grand Canyon example, the Chuar and Tonto groups are a single chapter, a fresh (and justifiable) perspective.The story that comes through is a "life story" of the southwest, in which a reader can see the region's geology evolve, illustrating how events in its past shape its response to new conditions.

The book's broad scope means that the history of individual rock layers are often not there - indeed, many layers are not even mentioned (although the fame of Grand Canyon's rock column is evident, most of ours are).The layers serve to illustrate a "story line" driven by the forces acting on the land, they do not break the story into pieces because of what is (or is not) preserved in today's exposures.In developing this evolutionary presentation, Baldridge has to sort through many, often conflicting, hypotheses.He does a good job of finding common threads.In many cases, he presents different mechanisms but concludes with the salient points that seem to be areas of agreement or with the conditions that a solution must explain.

This book is not for the geologically faint of heart.It assumes a pre-existing general understanding of plate tectonics and other geological principles.It is not the place to learn how plate tectonics works, but is the best place I have found to understand how plate tectonics worked on the Colorado Plateau.It will not tell you how the Grand Canyon was carved, how Monument Valley formed, what makes the Supai Group red, or other specific questions.But it does provide the vast historical panorama against which such questions can be asked.From a degree of technicality, it is less technical than Beus and Morales' Grand Canyon Geology, but certainly well beyond Price's Introduction to Grand Canyon Geology.In the preface, Baldridge says his target audience is "upper level undergraduates and graduates."I would expand this to include anyone with a real interest in the Colorado Plateau, and who wants the "big picture" only hinted at in most treatments of the region (like Baars' The Colorado Plateau: A Geologic History).For readers with a more casual familiarity with geology, it could be a difficult read, but the rewards are great for a comprehensive understanding of the area's history.

I liked it - a lot!
... Read more

Product Description
This comprehensive text has established itself over the past 20 years as the definitive work in its fields, presenting a thorough coverage of this key area of structural geology in a way which is ideally suited to advanced undergraduate and masters courses. The thorough coverage means that it is also useful to a wider readership as an up to date survey of plate tectonics.

The fourth edition brings the text fully up to date, with coverage of the latest research in crustal evolution, supercontinents, mass extinctions.A new chapter covers the feedbacks of various Earth systems. In addition, a new appendix provides a valuable survey of current methodology.

... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Standard work on plate tectoncis
Condie's work has long been the standard work in plate tectonics.I've just read the 4th edition.As good as the previous editions.However, this is a volume for senior geology majors or graduate students.I hope Condie is contemplating the Millennium edition.One suggestion--re-draft all graphs to have common time scale including geologic time periods. ... Read more

Product Description
This textbook is unique in giving an introduction to seismological theory and the principles of plate tectonics, as well as developing a practical approach to the reading and interpretation of seismograms. The book forms the basis for an introductory course to physicists, mathematicians and geologists. The early chapters give a general background in geophysics and elasticity theory, and present the standard results for the propagation of seismic waves radiated from large earthquakes. The main part of the text describes how seismograms are read and interpreted, explaining how the readings are used to locate the source of the waves, determine the sense of motion across the fault and to work out details of plate movements. Examples are included in which the reader has the opportunity to interpret seismic records and use them to find locations of earthquakes and determine their source mechanisms. The final chapter discusses plate tectonic theory, and gives the mathematical foundation behind the description of plate movement in terms of vectors. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Intro to Plate Tectonics
A very well done introductory book to the science of Plate Tectonics.Easy to read and understand for a non-geologist, it sparked in me a desire to learn more about this fascinating subject. ... Read more

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This book provides a concise overview of our understanding of the entire mantle, its evolution since early differentiation and the consequences of superplumes for earth surface processes. The balanced, international authorship of the eighteen contributions has produced a state-of-the-science report on the emerging concept of superplumes and has documented the potential of superplumes to serve as a testable model for future studies.

The topic of superplume dynamics has been treated from different angles covering the sub-disciplines of geology, geochemistry, petrology as well as geophysics (including mineral physics, seismic tomography and mantle dynamics). For instance, it is shown how transport of heat via superplumes, huge stable pipes connecting the high-temperature core with the surface land mass, could have caused mass extinctions and drastic environmental change.

Audience: Scientists, researchers and graduate students in geology, geochemistry and geophysics, planetary scientists, astrobiologists and environmental engineers.

Product Description
An introduction to Earth's internal movements and change offers entertaining information about such occurrences as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and continental drift. ... Read more