Mcgraw Hill Encyclopedia Of The Geological Sciences

In-depth, comprehensive coverage of the Earth's solid phase with more than 50% new & revised material. This one-volume Encyclopedia provides a comprehensive treatment of the geological sciences & of the essential materials, processes, compositions, & physical characteristics of the solid part of the Earth's system. It includes both theoretical & practical information on such topics as mineralogy, petrology, historical & surficial geology, geochemistry, geophysics, paleontology, & soil science. A vital source of information for professionals, educators, & students, this updated Second Edition includes 520 alphabetically arranged articles, 650 halftones & line drawings, cross-references to related topics, & a 4500-entry analytical index.

Contains 560 alphabetically arranged articles on the geological sciences. Includes maps, tables, graphs, and diagrams.

Alphabetically arranged entries provide a comprehensive overview of the field of earth science, offering information on key figures, theories, discoveries, advances, terms, and concepts.

Field work, supplemented by laboratory studies, is a cornerstone for the geological sciences. This volume provides an introduction to general field work through selected topics that illustrate specific techniques and methodologies. One hundred and twenty-three main entries prepared by leading authorities from around the world deal with aspects of exploration surveys, geotechnical engineering, environmental management. field techniques, mapping, prospecting, and mining. Special efforts were made to include topics that consider aspects of environmental geology in particular those subjects that involve field inspections related to, for example, the placement of artificial fills, sediment control in canals and waterways, the geologic effects of cities, or the importance of expansive soils to environmental management and engineering. In addition, some widely ranging topics dealing with legal affairs, geological methodology, the scope and organization of geology, report writing, and other concepts, such as those related to plate tectonics and continental drift, provide a necessary perspective to the arena of field geology.

Includes more than 8,000 essential terms and definitions in the earth sciences, this complete and handy source for the latest terminology covers the fields of climatology, geochemistry, geodesy, geography, hydrology, oceanography, and palaeontology.

Derived from the content of the respected McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, Sixth Edition, each title provides thousands of definitions of words and phrases encountered in a specific discipline. All include: * Pronunciation guide for every term * Acronyms, cross-references, and abbreviations * Appendices with conversion tables; listings of scientific, technical, and mathematical notation; tables of relevant data; and more * A convenient, quick-find format