The Earth: Its Birth and Growth

A clear understanding of the Earth's past evolution can provide the key to its possible future development. The Earth: Its Birth and Growth explores the evolution of the Earth over 4.6 billion years using basic reasoning and simple illustrations to help explain the underlying physical and chemical principles and major processes involved. Fully updated and revised, this rigorous but accessible second edition includes three completely new chapters. It incorporates exciting developments in isotope geology, placing results within a wider framework of Earth evolution and plate tectonics. Some background in physics and chemistry is assumed, but basic theories and processes are explained concisely in self-contained sections. Key research papers and review articles are fully referenced. This book is ideal as supplementary reading for undergraduate and graduate students in isotope geochemistry, geodynamics, plate tectonics and planetary science. It also provides an enjoyable overview of Earth's evolution for professional scientists and general readers.

Table of Contents:
Preface to the second edition; Preface to the first edition; 1. Heat from within: energy supporting the dynamic Earth; 2. At the time of Earth's birth; 3. Formation of the layered structure of Earth; 4. Time scale of Earth's evolution; 5. Plate tectonics evolution; 6. Evolution of the mantle; 7. Origin of the atmosphere and oceans; 8. Isotopes as DNA of nature; 9. Earth's magnetism; 10. Moon: a looking glass to mirror the ancient Earth; 11. The past and future of the evolving Earth; References; Index.

About the Author :
Minoru Ozima is an emeritus professor in the Earth and Planetary Science Department at the University of Tokyo. He was awarded the prestigious V. M. Goldschmidt Medal in 2010, recognising his major achievements in geochemistry and cosmochemistry. Professor Ozima was among the first to focus attention on the information contained in noble gas isotopes in application to the formation and evolution of the planets. He is a leading figure in this field, having contributed significantly to the establishment and development of the geochemistry and cosmochemistry of noble gases. He has published several books and is a Fellow of the American Geophysical Union, the Meteoritical Society, the European Association of Geochemistry and the Geochemical Society. Jun Korenaga is a professor of geophysics at Yale University where he studies the evolution and dynamics of Earth with a variety of theoretical and observational techniques. Professor Korenaga is particularly known for his new theory of Earth's thermal history and, in recognition of his contributions, was awarded the James B. Macelwane Medal in 2006 from the American Geophysical Union. His current research spans mantle and core dynamics, theoretical geochemistry and marine geophysics, and he is also extending his work to cover other Earth-like planets within and outside of the Solar System. Qing-zhu Yin is a professor in the Department of Geology at the University of California, Davis. Having received his PhD with highest distinction from the Johannes Gutenberg University and Max-Planck-Institute for Chemistry in Mainz, Germany, he expanded his research experience at the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Harvard University. His research interests now range from the use of isotopes to study the formation of the Solar System, to isotope and trace element geochemistry with applications to crust-mantle evolution. Professor Yin is the author or co-author of over 60 research articles and is a member of the Geochemical Society, the American Geophysical Union and the Meteoritical Society.

Review :
"Excellent black-and-white illustrations support the text...this book is accessible to general readers...recommended." - L.S Zipp, CHOICE, December 2012 “…the text which manages to explain the complex theories in an exceptionally clear and concise but enthusiastic manner, making the book a fantastic starting point for the subject. This book equips the reader with all the basic knowledge required to start their foray into the Earth sciences.” – Natalie Starkey, The Open University, Contemporary Physics, April 2013