Book Description

Science professionals, writers, and students everywhere will want to have this exhaustive guide to the terms and expressions used in modern geology and mineralogy. The dictionary contains 7,000 terms, covering physical geology, historical geology, plate tectonics, petrology, stratigraphy, and more--each with definition identified by the field in which it is primarily used. Also included are helpful cross references, plus an appendix with SI units, conversion tables, periodic table, and geological time scale. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The mineralogy section is a disaster. An error rate of 80%!
I am a mineralogist and bought this book for my wife as an office copy. Upon checking it out I found, to my horror, that the mineral entries are essentially worthless. There are an appalling number of omissions and errors. I cannot express too strongly how disastrous this portion of the book is. I have not done a similar check on the geology terms, but there is every reason to believe they are just as bad as the rest. ... Read more

Book Description

Although Arab contribution to the sciences is generally well known in the Western world, Arab contributions to the study of gemology are less recognized because of the lack of English-language translations of notable Arab texts. Scarecrow Press is pleased to present Samar Najm Abul Huda's translation of Ahmad ibn Yusuf al Tifaschi's study of gems. Born in 1184, Al Tifaschi first learned about gems from his father, and augmented his knowledge through readings of Aristotle, Theophrastus, and Pliny, as well as through extensive travels to mines and trading centers. In 1253, he wrote what later became known as the most "methodical and complete" work on precious stones. Gemologists of today are still astounded by the advanced observations that Al Tifaschi made in this work. The book covers 25 different stones, giving the crystallographic forms and physical properties such as hardness, lustre, and dispersion. The book also describes causes of the formation of gemstones within their mother rocks as well as the characteristics of the mine concerned. Abul Huda's translation of the work includes notations on the translations of Al Tifaschi's work into other languages, as well as background information on Al Tifaschi's world, the well-known gemstones of the 13th century, the gemological terminology used by the medieval Arabs, and notations on other gemstones not mentioned by Al Tifaschi. Includes index, a general bibliography, and illustrations of two precious gemstones in their settings. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Diamonds are forever
The different phases of carbon, such as graphite and diamond, with their unique and often contrasting properties, has continuously intrigued scientists and engineers throughout the last century.This fascination and interest is often manifested in the form of conferences dedicated to the element.This book is the proceedings from one such conference that took place in 1995.The text itself is quite easy to read, as its focus is on mechanical properties; hence little mention of quantum mechanics and band structure.I read through it to glean for useful data and references for my Ph.D. thesis. ... Read more

Book Description

This volume documents the proceedings of the 8th International Symposium on Particles on Surfaces: Detection, Adhesion and Removal held in Providence, Rhode Island, June 24--26, 2002. The study of particles on surfaces is extremely crucial in a host of diverse technological areas, ranging from microelectronics to optics to biomedical. In a world of shrinking dimensions and with the tremendous interest in various nanotechnologies, the need to understand the physics of nanoparticles becomes quite patent. With the interest in and concern with nanoparticles comes the need for new and more sensitive metrological and analysis techniques to detect, quantitate, analyze and characterize very small particles on a host of substrates.

This volume contains a total of 21 papers covering many ramifications of particles on surfaces. All manuscripts were rigorously peer-reviewed and all were revised and properly edited before inclusion in this volume. The book is divided into two parts: Particle Analysis/Characterization and General Cleaning-Related Topics and Particle Adhesion and Removal. The topics covered include: nature and characterization of small particles; surface and micro-analytical methods for particle identification; haze as a new method to monitor nano-sized particles; particle transport and adhesion in ion-beam sputter deposition process; particle deposition during immersion rinsing; ice-air blast cleaning; rectangular jets for surface decontamination; factors important in particle adhesion and removal; mechanics of nanoparticle adhesion; particle adhesion on nanoscale rough surfaces; various techniques for cleaning or removal of particles from different substrates including wet cleaning, use of modified SC-1 solutions, use of surfactants, ozonated DI water, ultrasonic, megasonic, laser, energetic clusters; and post-CMP cleaning. This volume, together with its predecessors, will be of immense value to anyone interested in the world of particles on surfaces, and will serve as a resource for information on contemporary R&D activity in this extremely technologically important area. ... Read more

Book Description

A comprehensive handbook covering all of Earth's 288 minerals.

The colors, shapes, and beauty of minerals vary from mundane to magnificent. Minerals is a beautifully illustrated reference that profiles 288 specimens in concise detail. This book provides a clear introduction to the science of mineralogy and explains the forms of crystals, their physical properties, and the environments in which minerals form.

The large, extensively illustrated directory profiles minerals in the following 10 categories: - Native elements - Sulfides and sulfosalts - Halides - Oxides and hydroxides - Carbonates - Borates - Sulfates, Chromates, Molybdates, Wolframites - Phosphates-Arsenates, Vanadates - Silicates - Organic minerals.

A system of symbols is used for quick identification of the key characteristics of each mineral specimen, including: - Cleavage: how the mineral cleaves along planar surfaces - Specific Gravity: relative weight - Hardness: ranging from talc to diamond.

Other features of the book are a glossary, classification chart of minerals, an index of mineral names, a bibliography, and a list of useful websites.

Minerals is ideal for rock hounds, geologists, and gem collectors. ... Read more

Book Description

Luminescence Spectroscopy of Minerals and Materials presents an overview of the general concepts in luminescence spectroscopy as well as experimental methods and their interpretation. Special emphasis is laid on the fluorescence lifetime and the determination of time-resolved spectra. This method enables the exposure of new luminescence in minerals previously hidden by more intensive centers. Specialists in the fields of solid state physics, chemistry and spectroscopy will find a wealth of new information in this unique book.

Book Description

Climate models show that climate change is not a uniform process. Areas of increased temperature are situated near areas of decreased temperature, areas with increased precipitation adjoin areas of drought. This is one of the reasons why climate change is so difficult to detect. Any parameter must be considered and tested locally or regionally and not on an average globally. This book gives an overview of actual research methods and results in the different fields of climate research including modelling. In addition, it contains a hemisphere-wide stratigraphic data base with about 80000 species. All paleoclimatic data as well as a state-of-the-art atmospheric circulation model in a PC version are included. So both research and graduate teaching are supported with high-end software running on affordable computers, also in those countries that have no access to Cray super computers. Thus, this book will be of interest to all researchers and scientists in the field of climatology. ... Read more

Book Description

This multifaceted study explores new directions for plate tectonic research, especially as a guide for future geodynamic modelling of the earth. In particular, it equips readers with a plate-tectonic toolbox (with derivations and ANSI-C code) for applications and reconstruction analysis, including new continuous calculation methods. It shows how to apply these tools to Late Mesozoic and Cenozoic kinematics, with a focus on hotspot reference frames, and for empirical analysis of continental stress histories, including fractured hydrocarbon reservoirs. Supported by solid arguments and data, the book integrates theoretical developments of expanded plate kinematic theory and an ensemble of critical observations into a grand model, with the new concept of mesoplates playing a key role. Written by an accomplished tectonics researcher and software developer, this graduate- and research-level monograph will interest academics as well as applied geoscientists, e.g. petroleum geologists. ... Read more

Book Description

The study of fossils, minerals, and gems has played crucial roles in increasing our knowledge about the Earth, the changes the planet has gone through, and the species that have inhabited it. This volume introduces the fascinating disciplines of geology, paleontology, and mineralogy, and how they reveal secrets of the Earth's history.

Coverage includes:
a systematic treatment of Earth history, rock types, marine fossils, terrestrial fossils, crystals, gems, and precious metals that provide insights into Earth's character; the most current data available on such topics as global tectonics and faunal extinctions, including a wealth of information about the demise of dinosaurs; new technologies in detecting and preserving rocks and minerals; and the effects of erosion and climate changes. ... Read more

Book Description

The book presents the fundamental principles of thermodynamics for geosciences. It is based on courses for physical chemistry of minerals and theoretical petrology, given by the author for geosciences students over a number of years. Thermodynamic applications to real problems are illustrated through numerous examples taken from the mineralogical literature. In this way, the more abstract nature of thermodynamics is more easily understood. The reader learns how to apply the methods of this discipline to concrete mineralogical and petrologic problems. Although the book is written primarily for graduate students, it is also useful for advanced scientists working in the field of mineralogy, petrology and geology. It may also be interesting for ceramists and materials scientists. ... Read more