A rare study of the enormous Chinese fault zone equal to that of the San Andreas fault. Presents a complete geotectonic depiction along with detailed surveys of shear zones, strike-slip and rift tectonics, strain studies, interrelated analysis of sedimentation and metamorphism.
The 30th International Geological Congress was held in Beijing, China in August 1997. Leading scientists convened to present their findings and views to the international geological research community. Volume 14 of 26 focuses on structural geology and geomechanics. All articles in the proceedings have been refereed and keynote papers have been included in Volume 1. These proceedings aim to present a view of contemporary geology and should be of interest to researchers in the geological sciences.
An interesting volume presenting the papers collected for the Festschrift "Paradoxes in Modern Geology" in honor of Professor Ken Jinghwa Hsu on the occasion of his 70th birthday.Paradox, as defined in a dictionary, is a statement contrary to accepted opinion. That a broad discussion of paradoxes is fruitful for the advancement of science in general, and geosciences in particular, has been amply demonstrated by Professor Hsu throughout his distinguished career. Not only has he propelled the geoscience community forward with his controversial statements, a number of his former students, who are currently in key positions at universities and in industry, are influencing in a similar open minded way the present day thinking. The wide scope this reasoning encompasses is demonstrated by the contributions to this book, delineating paradoxes and problems in the fields of tectonics, basic and applied geosciences, petrology, paleoceanography, paleoclimatology and paleogeography, kinematics and modelling.
"The Tectonics of China: Data, Maps and Evolution" presents the regional geological and petroleum surveys of China, the author's original tectonic data, and research results of Chinese and international scientists (more than 1500 references) from the last three decades. It examines the main developments of geological evolution, a series of tectonic events in the overall geological history, 13 tectonic maps of the entire continent of Asia in different tectonic epochs, and a general discussion of the main tectonic characteristics of the Chinese continental plate. This book also intensively discusses the Mesozoic-Cenozoic tectonics and intraplate deformations, which control the majority of ore deposits and oil-gas reservoirs and have a tremendous influence on the climates and natural disasters on the continent. Some important tectonic theory problems are discussed, such as the mechanisms of the widespread intraplate deformation, the variation of lithosphere thickness, the existence of mantle plumes, the dynamic mechanisms for global tectonics, and the author's proposed hypotheses on mantle plumes and meteorite impacts. The book is intended for researchers and geologists working at universities, on geological surveys, for mining or petroleum companies, and for graduate students of geology and mineral resources. Tianfeng Wan is Professor at the China University of Geosciences, Beijing, China.
This book introduces the reader to the principles of terrrane analysis, and describes how accretion tectonics relates to classic plate tectonics theory and what this represents in terms of mountain building and continental growth processes. A forensic-like investigation of continental geology is detailed, integrating many different sub-disciplines of the Earth Sciences. The concepts outlined have a practical bent and help to explain the nature and occurrences of petroleum and metallic mineral deposits.
Year by year the Earth sciences grow more diverse, with an inevitable increase in the degree to which rampant specialization isolates the practitioners of an ever larger number of sub fields. An increasing emphasis on sophisticated mathematics, physics and chemistry as well as the use of advanced technology have. set up barriers often impenetrable to the uninitiated. Ironically, the potential value of many specialities for other, often non-contiguous once has also increased. What is at the present time quiet, unseen work in a remote corner of our discipline, may tomorrow enhance, even revitalize some entirely different area. The rising flood of research reports has drastically cut the time we have available for free reading. The enormous proliferation of journals expressly aimed at small, select audiences has raised the threshold of access to a large part of the literature so much that many of us are unable to cross it. This, most would agree, is not only unfortunate but downright dangerous, limiting by sheer bulk of paper or difficulty of comprehension, the flow of information across the Earth sciences because, after all it is just one earth that we all study, and cross fertilization is the key to progress. If one knows where to obtain much needed data or inspiration, no effort is too great. It is when we remain unaware of its existence (perhaps even in the office next door) that stagnation soon sets in.
Presents information from the primary abiotic forces defining the system, and from the present hydrology, biogeochemistry and physics of major sites of organic carbon production of the McMurdo Dry Valleys. Additionally, research on the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the dry valley soils is included. The role of environmental management in long-term ecological studies is also addressed. The accompanying CDROM provides details and scale to visualize the McMurdo Dry Valleys from an ecosystem perspective.