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Solving the riddle of the Earth's composition
Our planet in a nutshell: The Little Book of Planet Earth
Earth's surface and inner structures are constantly moving, interacting, and
changing in ways that define not just the planet's appearance, but its
atmosphere and weather, land and ocean forms, and the diversity of life it
supports. In the last century we have made immense strides in understanding not
only the location, shape, size, and composition of Earth, but especially in
understanding its structure and inherent dynamism. As author Rolf Meissner says,
the ancient thesis of Heraclitus - Panta rhei, everything is in flow. - has been
proven to be the case for our planet.
The Little Book of Planet Earth describes the geological evolution of Earth
from its formation. Meissner describes not just the planet's features, but the
tools that modern geologists use to explore and track the ever-changing
subterranean and surface features of the planet. In this concise and engaging
little book, the author introduces lay readers to the key topics in modern earth
and planetary science: the creation of Earth and its moon, the role of
seismology in analyzing Earth's structure, the formation of mountain ranges and
basins, the significance of Earth's magnetic field, and more.
Rolf Meissner, a meteorologist and professor of geophysics, has lectured at
the University of Mainz in Germany and the University of Hawaii. Until his
retirement in 1996 he was engaged in research at the Institute of Geophysics of
Kiel University in Germany, focusing mainly on the structure and evolution of
Earth's crust, natural resources, and the geological composition and structure
of planets.
Detailed information and order possibility:
Rolf Meissner
The Little Book of Planet Earth
2002. Hardcover, 202 pp. 54 figs.
Euro 22.95 (net price); £16.00; $20.00; sFr 38.00
ISBN 0-387-95258-6
Contact and review copies:
Joan Robinson
Springer-Verlag Press and Public Relations
Tel.: +49- (0) 6221-487-8130,
Fax: +49- (0) 6221-487-8141,
E-mail: robinson@springer.de
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