The Indian Mesozoic Chronicle

The book reviews and summarizes the Indian Mesozoic geological evolution in an innovative alternative perspective of sequence stratigraphy. It mainly focuses on the Jurassic interval, but also concisely discusses the preceding Triassic and Cretaceous geological records. The key to the study is primarily held in the recently developed ammonoid based high resolution scales in the Triassic and Jurassic period. The Indian Jurassic record is thus elevated to a high resolution pedestal. The large intra-Jurassic stratigraphic gap in Kachchh, with increase in duration from margin to basin, has been précised in different sections, along with radical revision of its long held interpretation from sub-aerial to sub-marine all over from Arabia to Australia. Other significant gaps are also differentiated into sub-aerial and sub-marine. The Indian Late Precambrian – Neogene record is organized into five mega-sequences. Among these, the fourth – also the most important one – includes the intra-Permian to Early Eocene interval from the origin to the closure of the Neotethys. Based on multidisciplinary integration of the Indian Mesozoic geological record and comparison with hydrocarbon producing basins on east and west of India, a highly positive scenario of the hydrocarbon source/reservoir sediment perspective is outlined in the book in sequence stratigraphic backdrop as an edifice for future elaborate evaluation.

This book envisages a multi-proxy approach using stable isotopes, geochemical proxies, magnetic susceptibility and associated biotic events for paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental interpretations of the Mesozoic sedimentary record of India. Mesozoic rocks of India record abnormal sea level rise, greenhouse climate, intensified volcanism, hypoxia in seawater, extensive black shale deposition, and hydrocarbon occurrence. The Mesozoic has also witnessed mass extinction events, evolution of dinosaurs, and breakdown of the supercontinent Pangea and the formation of Gondwana. Although the Mesozoic geology of India has witnessed significant progress in the last century, literature survey reveals a huge gap in knowledge regarding sequence stratigraphy, chemostratigraphy and key geological events. A synthesis of sedimentological, paleontological and chemical data is included to presenting a comprehensive understanding of the Indian Mesozoic record to students, researchers and professionals.

Indian Geological Sequences: Salient Features and Major Events focuses on the first ever differentiation of the entire Indian record into a five tier hierarchical succession of geological sequences – five giga to 12 mega to 25 1st order to 68 2nd order to over 100 3rd order ones as its basic skeleton. Using the developed grid of sequence timelines, the diverse inter-disciplinary geological manifestations on the broad tectono-stratigraphically homogeneous supra-region of GTM (Gondwanian Tethyan Margin from Arabia to Australia) have been mutually integrated towards chronicling of events with precision never ever realized earlier. The giga-sequences GS-I to GS-IV comprising eight mega-sequences MS-I to MS-VIII deal with the Precambrian in brief. GS-V (¬ 635 ma onward) MS-IX (¬ 635-444 ma) and MS-XII (¬ 61.6 onward) include orogenies while MS-X (¬ 444-259 ma) and MS-XI (¬ 259-61.6 ma) are dominated by dismemberment tectonics. The prime focus is on the correlation of events across scores of sedimentary basins from outcrop to subsurface, onshore to offshore, marine to non-marine, shallow to deep water, plant to animal, micro to macro-fossils, and Proto-Paleo-Neotethys to Indian Ocean. Among the major Phanerozoic events time precised are the ¬ 500 ma Acantha Zone mega MFS accretion of the then alien TH to the Indian margin, and the ¬ 50 ma P8 Zone mega MFS impingement of India on Asia while the important dismemberment events include the ¬ 159 ma late Middle Oxfordian Orientalis Zone Schilli Subzone 1st order MFS initiation of the Indian Ocean which culminated in steps with oceanic separation of Sri Lanka from Antarctica at the ¬ 107 ma early Middle Albian Dentatus Zone mega MFS, ¬ 90 ma 1st order SB initiation of separation of Madagascar so also of Mascaranes basin, NER, Central Indian basin, Wharton basin, separation of Greater Seychelles from India at the ¬ 64.5 ma intra Danian 2nd order Quadratus Zone MFS and ¬ 24 ma Complanata Zone MFS thrusting due south of Greater Himalaya upon Lesser Himalaya. Indian Geological Sequences: Salient Features and Major Events is a valuable reference for researchers and scientists in the field of Earth Sciences. Relates multi-dimensional geological events of one region to another in a vast supra-region through precisely dated sequence timelines Links macro- and micro-evolutionary advent and extinction events to macro- and micro-geological events Includes multidisciplinary data sources, from sedimentological, geochemical, and geophysical records

ATLAS OF STRUCTURAL GEOLOGICAL AND GEOMORPHOLOGICAL INTERPRETATION OF REMOTE SENSING IMAGES An extensive compilation of case studies in structural geology and geomorphology for interpreting remotely sensed images In the Atlas of Structural Geological and Geomorphological Interpretation of Remote Sensing Images, a team of experts delivers an extensive collection of over 20 different examples of structural geological and geomorphological studies by remote sensing. The book demonstrates how to properly interpret geological features and gather robust and reliable information from remote sensing images. This atlas contains high-quality colour images that depict a diversity of structures and geomorphic features from different tectonic regimes and geographic localities in the Americas, Europe, and Australasia. While its primary emphasis is on structural geology, geomorphology is considered in some depth as well. The examples also cover geological hazards, including volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. Readers will also find: A thorough introduction to the background of remote sensing, including foundational concepts and the classification of remote sensing based on data type, source, platform and imaging media Comprehensive discussions of geomorphology, including explorations of lava fissures, badlands and beaches In-depth explorations of structural geology, including discussions of deformation bands, fault lines and earthquake effects Several examples of how to trace hydrological processes such as glacier retreat, changes in drainage patterns and bar formation Perfect for advanced students and researchers in the geoscience community, Atlas of Structural Geological and Geomorphological Interpretation of Remote Sensing Images will also earn a place in the libraries of practicing professionals with an interest in the interpretation of remote sensing images.

The E.T. Chronicles is a startling and comprehensive examination of ancient myths and legends that describe extraterrestrial visitors and their encounters with humanity since the dawn of time. Organized into a chronology that starts with "in the beginning" and ends with the advent of civilization, it brings together myths from many cultures (including the Sumerians, the Greek, the Maya and the Aborigines of Australia) and explores them in the context of current scientific discoveries. The result is a mind-blowing re-visioning of human origins through close reading of ancient texts relating to: • creation• gods and goddesses• heaven• the gods and their toys (space ships or chariots?)• the quest for immortality Could it be that those ancient stories of the gods were more than just the product of someone's fanciful imagination? Is it possible that the writers, chroniclers, and scribes of our distant past actually record an accurate view of our origin? Could it be that we are really children of the stars?

'Gripping and wonderfully informative' Tom Holland, New Statesman Adored by children and adults alike, Tyrannosaurus is the most famous dinosaur in the world, one that pops up again and again in pop culture, often battling other beasts such as King Kong, Triceratops or velociraptors in Jurassic Park. But despite the hype, Tyrannosaurus and the other tyrannosaurs are fascinating animals in their own right, and are among the best-studied of all dinosaurs. Tyrannosaurs started small, but over the course of 100 million years evolved into the giant carnivorous bone-crushers that continue to inspire awe in palaeontologists, screenplay writers, sci-fi novelists and the general public alike. Tyrannosaurus itself was truly impressive; it topped six tons, was more than 12m (40 feet) long, and had the largest head and most powerful bite of any land animal in history. The Tyrannosaur Chronicles tracks the rise of these dinosaurs, and presents the latest research into their biology, showing off more than just their impressive statistics – tyrannosaurs had feathers and fought and even ate each other. This book presents the science behind this research; it tells the story of the group through their anatomy, ecology and behaviour, exploring how they came to be the dominant terrestrial predators of the Mesozoic and, in more recent times, one of the great icons of biology.

This book highlights some of the interesting recent and historical earthquakes (1803 Uttarkashi, 1819 Kutch, 1897 Shillong, 1905 Kangra, 1934 Nepal-Bihar, 1950 Upper Assam, 1967 Koyna, 1993 Killari, 1997 Jabalpur, 2001 Bhuj, 2004 Sumatra-Andaman, 2005 Kashmir, and 2015 Nepal) that occurred in India and in the vicinity. The tectonic and geodynamic significance of the modern (after the advent of global network) earthquakes in relation to some of the historical earthquakes like the 1819 Kachchh and 1897 Shillong and 1934 Nepal-Bihar earthquakes in the light of newer understanding is discussed. It also contains detailed expositions of seismotectonics and mechanisms of each earthquake. It concludes with touching upon future earthquake hazard scenario in India in view of the present and past earthquakes.