An Introduction to Earth Science:heritage Sites


Book Description

Earth Science Heritage Sites and Community Development in India is being published for the first time. The book gives a description of the various heritage sites present in different Geological Formations embracing a period of more than 1500 m.y. when the first Precambrian Microbial Communities were recognized. There is no Book of this nature dealing with Earth Science Heritage Sites in India. The present volume describes significant heritage sites containing extinct fauna and flora and minerals preserved in the rocks of different Geological Ages. Conservation of these significant heritage sites has been neglected with the result the valuable records on the Biodiversity of the ancient past is gradually being lost. The author stresses the need to conserve and protect the legacy left behind by Nature in the form of heritage sites by participation of not only scientists but also non-governmental agencies including various people associated with community development projects in the vicinity of heritage sites. A number of illustrations, maps and photographs of some of the significant heritage sites have been included. It is sincerely, hoped that this book will be a valuable contribution on Earth Heritage Sites in India.










Earth Science


Book Description

Contains a history of earth sciences, providing definitions and explanations of related topics, plus brief biographies of scientists of the twentieth century.




Geodiversity


Book Description

The first book to focus exclusively on the subject, Geodiversity, Second Edition describes the interrelationships between geodiversity and biodiversity, the value of geodiversity to society, as well as current threats to its existence. Illustrated with global case studies throughout, the book examines traditional approaches to protecting geodiversity and the new management agenda now being implemented. The Second Edition of this successful textbook continues to build on the success of the first edition which is still the standard reference for the subject. Fully revised and updated throughout, the Second Edition now includes new material on geoparks, geotourism and implications of climate change for geoconservation. Reviews of previous edition: "Murray Gray's new book is the first widely available text to bring together and analyse some of these emerging ideas....The result is a book that should be in the library of every land manager and one that is likely to lead many practicing geoscientists and quaternarists to a new view of the importance of their field for nature conservation and environmental management.." —Journal of Quaternary Science, Vol.19, No.8, December 2004 "It is strange that it is necessary to justify the importance of geodiversity.... Murray Gray does it with brilliance, not only to convince 'non-believers', but giving inspiration to us that have worked in geoconservation for a long time." —ProGEO News, 3 & 4, 2003 "...The author provides a timely review of recent advances in the integration of geodiversity into wider conservation and planning strategies..." —Journal of Quaternary Science, Vol.19, No.8, December 2004 "...the book is well-written and follows a clear and concise outline." —Environmental Geology, Vol. 48, No. 2, July 2005




Quaternary of Scotland


Book Description

In describing the geomorphological heritage of Scotland, this volume offers a remarkable account of how the natural environment responded in terms of landforms, processes and plant communities, to severe climatic change as the Quaternary era progressed over the last two million years. This legacy, as preserved in the 138 nationally important GCR sites described, documents a remarkable diversity of landforms in a relatively small area. The rugged highland contrast with the rolling hills and flat plains found further south, while the western and northern islands, together with the highly-indented coastline add further to the scenic diversity. How this variety of landscapes came into being, the forces which shaped it , and the climatic extremes which drove it, are the themes explored in this volume.




An Introduction to the Geological Conservation Review


Book Description

Explains why Britain's earth heritage is important and how the national series of Earth heritage sites was identified in the Geological Conservation Review. This work also describes how these sites are protected by law, and how they are conserved. It also includes an introduction to the geological history of Britain.




British Upper Carboniferous Stratigraphy


Book Description

This volume summarizes the results of a survey of British Upper Carboniferous sites, undertaken between 1978 and 1990 as part of the Geological Conservation Review (GCR). The GCR was the first attempt to assess the scientific significance of all Britain's geological sites and has proved a landmark in the development of a coherent geological conservation strategy in this country. To ensure that the assessments were based on a firm logical and scientific foundation, the range of scientific interest was divided into ninety-seven discrete subject 'blocks', reflecting the natural divisions of stratigraphy, palaeogeography and geological process; Westphalian stratigraphy and Namurian stratigraphy were two of these blocks. The first stage in the survey was a review of the literature, to establish a compre hensive database of sites. From this, a provisional list of potentially significant sites was made and this was circulated to all relevant specialists in this country and abroad. At the same time, the sites were visited to assess their physical condition and whether the interest was still extant. In some cases, excavation (so-called 'site-cleaning') was carried out to see if the interest of a site could be resurrected or enhanced. The com ments made by the specialists and the field observations were then used to produce a second site list, which again was circulated for comment.




Recent Research on Environmental Earth Sciences, Geomorphology, Soil Science, Paleoclimate, and Karst


Book Description

This edited book is based on the accepted papers for presentation at the 1st MedGU Annual Meeting, Istanbul, 2021. With two parts spanning a large spectrum of environmental, geomorphological and geoarcheological topics and a third part on caves and karst, which includes research studies gathered on the occasion of the International Year of Caves and Karst (2021), this book presents a series of newest research studies that are nowadays relevant to Middle East, Mediterranean region, and Africa. The book gives a general overview on current research, focusing on geoenvironmental issues and challenges in environmental management in the Middle East and Mediterranean region and surrounding areas. It offers a broad range of recent studies that discuss the latest advances in geomorphology, landslides, soil science, paleoclimate, and geoarcheology. It also shares insights on cave and karst studies including speleology, cave and karst explorations, geomorphology, hydrogeology, geoethics, prehistoric eras in karst, geotectonics, and the nexus between human activities and karst sustainability.




Igneous Rocks of South-West England


Book Description

This volume illustrates some of the significant aspects of magmatic activity from Devonian (408 million years ago) to early Permian (270 million years ago) times in SW England. This period covers the progressive development of the Variscan mountain-building episode, from initial basin formation to final deformation and the subsequent development of a fold mountain belt - the Variscan Orogen. Both extrusive (volcanic) and intrusive (plutonic) rocks are found in the orogen, and chart the various stages of its magmatic development. The sites described in this volume are key localities selected for conservation because they are representative of the magmatic history of the orogen from initiation to stabilization. Some of the earliest volcanic activity in the Devonian is represented by submarine basaltic and rhyolitic lavas developed in subsiding basins, caused by the attenuation of the existing continental crust. In some cases, extensive rifting and attendant magmatism produced narrow zones of true oceanic crust, whereas elsewhere basaltic volcanism is related to fractures in the continental crust at the margins of the basins. After the filling of the sedimentary basins, and their deformation caused by crustal shortening (late Carboniferous Period), further activity is manifested by the emplacement of the Cornubian granites and later minor basaltic volcanism in the early Permian. Accounts of the constituent parts of this history have enriched geological literature from the nineteenth century onwards, and have contributed to the advancement and understanding of magmatic and tectonic processes.