CRC Press Practical Handbook of Earth Science

This self-contained handbook provides a carefully researched, compact source of key earth science information and data, logically sorted by subject matter, and then cross-referenced. Appealing to both experts and non-experts alike, the book presents earth science and environmental science as closely intertwined. It includes tables of the global distributions of fossil fuels, contrasted by tables of the distribution of non-fossil energy sources. Concise explanations cover the subject matters of geology, geophysics, oceans, atmosphere with attention to environmental implications and resources. Review "I was pleased to hear that Hodgkinson and Stacey were taking the time and effort to assemble a practical handbook on earth science, and once I had a chance to review the contents it did not disappoint. It covers a broad spectrum of physical science topics related to the earth, but focuses on key processes and parameters important to understanding how humans utilize the earth’s resources and manage the environment. The handbook contains a wealth of tabulated information and quality graphics supported by informative concise text. It would be a convenient reference for anyone working in or curious about the earth sciences."―Jim Underschultz, The University of Queensland, Australia "The world-renown geophysicist, Frank Stacey, and Jane Hodgkinson, an Australian government scientist with extensive work in mining and climate change, have teamed up to coauthor a different kind of handbook on earth sciences. They have chosen to combine well-chosen discussions of various subjects in earth sciences with data needed by scientists working in those fields. Remarkably, they have done all this in 26 concise chapters that remind the experienced researcher of the salient points of the subject without compromising the value of the material to less experienced scientists who are seeing it for the first time. I expect many scientists will find this a handy book to have close by when they write research papers or prepare lectures for classes or meetings."― Ronald Merrill, University of Washington, USA "In spite of so much being readily available online nowadays, this Practical Handbook of Earth Science provides an invaluable, convenient central source for background information to both students and practitioners in this area. It is a useful entrée to a wide range of topics, which can then be followed up as and when needed. The inclusion of explanatory text is particularly helpful in dealing with things like the physical properties of rocks and minerals. It provides an instantaneous crash course in the fundamental science underlying the data that are presented. I wish that I had had this when I was at the National Coal Board/British Coal (UK)."― Michael J Cooke, Ex National Coal Board/British Coal, United Kingdom "If one had to choose one reference book to serve as a basis for understanding Earth, and carrying out research, this would be it. The book reflects the complementary backgrounds of the authors in geology and physics and their active participation in research in academic and applied Earth science. Since the early days of plate tectonics the fields of geology and geophysics inevitably merged into the combined discipline of Earth science, where one is incomplete without the other. This book reflects that merger by linking tabulations of Earth properties and associated physics to discussion of their significance. In contrast to encyclopedic information, it places the reader at the forefront of Earth science knowledge, and points to where future advance might be made. It also describes the repercussion of anthropogenic activity on resources and environment. While sifting through websites has become the norm, I anticipate many will find that having this compilation on one’s bookshelf or electronic library will be the most efficient way of obtaining quantitative understanding of the planet." ―Paul Davis, University of Ca