The Earth
Its Birth and Growth

An accessible exploration of Earth's evolution and the underlying physical and chemical principles, for students, professionals and general readers.

Minoru Ozima (Author), Jun Korenaga (Author), Qing-Zhu Yin (Author)

9780521760256, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 12 April 2012

164 pages, 30 b/w illus. 10 tables
23.4 x 15.5 x 1.2 cm, 0.4 kg

“…the text which manages to explain the complex theories in an exceptionally clear and concise but enthusiastic manner, making the book a fantastic starting point for the subject. This book equips the reader with all the basic knowledge required to start their foray into the Earth sciences.” – Natalie Starkey, The Open University, Contemporary Physics, April 2013

A clear understanding of the Earth's past evolution can provide the key to its possible future development. The Earth: Its Birth and Growth explores the evolution of the Earth over 4.6 billion years using basic reasoning and simple illustrations to help explain the underlying physical and chemical principles and major processes involved. Fully updated and revised, this rigorous but accessible second edition includes three completely new chapters. It incorporates exciting developments in isotope geology, placing results within a wider framework of Earth evolution and plate tectonics. Some background in physics and chemistry is assumed, but basic theories and processes are explained concisely in self-contained sections. Key research papers and review articles are fully referenced. This book is ideal as supplementary reading for undergraduate and graduate students in isotope geochemistry, geodynamics, plate tectonics and planetary science. It also provides an enjoyable overview of Earth's evolution for professional scientists and general readers.

Preface to the second edition
Preface to the first edition
1. Heat from within: energy supporting the dynamic Earth
2. At the time of Earth's birth
3. Formation of the layered structure of Earth
4. Time scale of Earth's evolution
5. Plate tectonics evolution
6. Evolution of the mantle
7. Origin of the atmosphere and oceans
8. Isotopes as DNA of nature
9. Earth's magnetism
10. Moon: a looking glass to mirror the ancient Earth
11. The past and future of the evolving Earth
References
Index.

Subject Areas: The environment [RN], Earth sciences [RB]