Why Geology Matters: Decoding the Past, Anticipating the

Why Geology Matters: Decoding the Past, Anticipating the Future

Volcanic dust, climate change, tsunamis, earthquakesâ€”geoscience explores phenomena that profoundly affect our lives. But more than that, as Doug Macdougall makes clear, the science also provides important clues to the future of the planet. In an entertaining and accessibly written narrative, Macdougall gives an overview of Earthâ€™s astonishing history based on information extracted from rocks, ice cores, and other natural archives. He explores such questions as: What is the risk of an asteroid striking Earth? Why does the temperature of the ocean millions of years ago matter today? How are efforts to predict earthquakes progressing? Macdougall also explains the legacy of greenhouse gases from Earthâ€™s past and shows how that legacy shapes our understanding of todayâ€™s human-caused climate change. We find that geoscience in fact illuminates many of todayâ€™s most pressing issuesâ€”the availability of energy, access to fresh water, sustainable agriculture, maintaining biodiversityâ€”and we discover how, by applying new technologies and ideas, we can use it to prepare for the future.
Country USA
Manufacturer University of California Press
Binding Kindle Edition
ReleaseDate 2011-05-02
Format Kindle eBook

Country	USA
Manufacturer	University of California Press
Binding	Kindle Edition
ReleaseDate	2011-05-02
Format	Kindle eBook

Why Geology Matters: Decoding the Past, Anticipating the Future