Planetary Geoscience

The ideal textbook resource to support a one-semester capstone course in planetary processes for geoscience undergraduates.

Harry Y. McSween, Jr (Author), Jeffrey E. Moersch (Author), Devon M. Burr (Author), William M. Dunne (Author), Joshua P. Emery (Author), Linda C. Kah (Author), Molly C. McCanta (Author)

9781107145382, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 11 July 2019

350 pages, 148 b/w illus. 152 colour illus.
28.4 x 22.3 x 2 cm, 1.25 kg

'The book is profusely illustrated with full color diagrams and photographic renderings of many geochemical and geophysical particulars. Each chapter concludes with key references and study questions. Overall, this work provides a good and very up-to-date account, from acknowledged experts, of how traditional ways of doing geology are now being extended to understand a diverse array of bodies throughout the solar system.' B. M. Simonson, Choice

For many years, planetary science has been taught as part of the astronomy curriculum, from a very physics-based perspective, and from the framework of a tour of the Solar System - body by body. Over the past decades, however, spacecraft exploration and related laboratory research on extraterrestrial materials have given us a new understanding of planets and how they are shaped by geological processes. Based on a course taught at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, this is the first textbook to focus on geologic processes, adopting a comparative approach that demonstrates the similarities and differences between planets, and the reasons for these. Profusely illustrated, and with a wealth of pedagogical features, this book provides an ideal capstone course for geoscience majors - bringing together aspects of mineralogy, petrology, geochemistry, volcanology, sedimentology, geomorphology, tectonics, geophysics and remote sensing.

Preface
1. Exploring the Solar System
2. Toolkits for the planetary geoscientist: imaging and spectroscopy
3. More toolkits for the planetary geoscientist: chronology, mapping, geophysics, and laboratory analysis
4. Solar System raw materials
5. Assembling planetesimals and planets
6. Planetary heating and differential
7. Unseen planetary interiors
8. Planetary geodynamics
9. Planetary structures and tectonics
10. Planetary igneous activity
11. Impact cratering as a geologic process
12. Planetary atmospheres, oceans, and ices
13. Planetary Aeolian processes and landforms
14. Planetary fluvial and lacustrine landforms: products of liquid flow
15. Physical and chemical changes: weathering, sedimentology, metamorphism, and mass wasting
16. Astrobiology: a planetary perspective on life
17. Integrated planetary geoscience: a case study (Mars)
Epilogue: geologic processes in other Solar Systems?
Glossary
Index.

Subject Areas: Geographical information systems [GIS & remote sensing RGW], Stratigraphy [RBGH], Petrology [RBGG], Soil science, sedimentology [RBGB], Volcanology & seismology [RBC], Solar system: the Sun & planets [PGS]