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The Geology of Agate Deposits (SpringerBriefs in Earth System Sciences)
by Andrejs ZarinsThis book examines agate provinces through the lens of plate tectonics, stratigraphy, agatization, and more. It delves into the physical and chemical properties of agate deposits, their environments of formation, and related silica deposits like opal, chert, and petrified wood. Examples, illustrations, maps, and thin-section photos illuminate structural, chemical, and temporal controls. Plate tectonics and lithotectonics are explored to provide a deeper understanding of the volcanic processes behind agate formation.
The Geology of Australia
by David JohnsonThe Geology of Australia provides a vivid and informative account of the evolution of the Australian continent over the last 4400 million years. Starting with the Precambrian rocks that hold clues to the origins of life and the development of an oxygenated atmosphere, it goes on to cover the warm seas, volcanism and episodes of mountain building, which formed the eastern third of the Australian continent. This illuminating history details the breakup of the supercontinents Rodinia and Gondwana, the times of previous glaciations, the development of climates and landscapes in modern Australia, and the creation of the continental shelves and coastlines. Separate chapters cover the origin of the Great Barrier Reef, the basalts in Eastern Australia, and the geology of the Solar System. This second edition features two new chapters, covering the evolution of life on Earth while emphasising the fossil record in Australia, and providing a geological perspective on climate change. From Uluru to the Great Dividing Range, from earthquakes to dinosaurs, from sapphires to the stars The Geology of Australia is a comprehensive exploration of the timeless forces that have shaped this continent.
The Geology of Australia
by David Johnson Robert HendersonThe Geology of Australia provides a vivid and informative account of the evolution of the Australian continent over the last 4400 million years. Starting with the Precambrian rocks that hold clues to the origins of life and the development of an oxygenated atmosphere, it goes on to cover the warm seas, volcanism and episodes of mountain building, which formed the eastern third of the Australian continent. This illuminating history details the breakup of the supercontinents Rodinia and Gondwana, the times of previous glaciations, the development of climates and landscapes in modern Australia, and the creation of the continental shelves and coastlines. Separate chapters cover the origin of the Great Barrier Reef, the basalts in Eastern Australia, and the geology of the Solar System. This second edition features two new chapters, covering the evolution of life on Earth while emphasising the fossil record in Australia, and providing a geological perspective on climate change. From Uluru to the Great Dividing Range, from earthquakes to dinosaurs, from sapphires to the stars The Geology of Australia is a comprehensive exploration of the timeless forces that have shaped this continent.
The Geology of Egypt
by Rushdi SaidScholars from Egypt, Germany and the US review and analyze the results of work carried out on the geology of Egypt: geomorphology and evolution of landscape, tectonics, geophysical regime, volcanicity, Precambrian geology, geologic history and paleogeography, paleontology of selected taxa, ore depos
The Geology of Egypt (Regional Geology Reviews)
by Jesús Martínez Frías Zakaria Hamimi Ahmed El-Barkooky Harald Fritz Yasser Abd El-RahmanThis richly illustrated book offers a concise overview of the geology of Egypt in the context of the geology of the Arab Region and Northeast Africa. An introductory chapter on history of geological research in Egypt sheds much light on the stages before and after the establishment of Egyptian Geological Survey (the second oldest geological survey worldwide), Hume's book and Said's 1962, 1990 books. The book starts with the Precambrian geology of Egypt, in terms of lithostratigraphy and classifications, structural and tectonic framework, crustal evolution and metamorphic belts. A dedicated chapter discusses the Paleozoic-Mesozoic-Cenozoic tectonics and structural evolution of Egypt. A chapter highlights the Red Sea tectonics and the Gulf of Suez and Gulf of Aqaba Rifts. Subsequent chapters address the Phanerozoic geology from Paleozoic to Quaternary. The Egyptian Impact Crater(s) and Meteorites are dealt with in a separate chapter. The Earth resources in Egypt, including metallic and non-metallic ore deposits, hydrocarbon and water resources, are given much more attention throughout four chapters. The last chapter addresses the seismicity, seismotectonics and neotectonics of Egypt.
The Geology of Germany: A Process-Oriented Approach (Regional Geology Reviews)
by Martin Meschede Laurence N. WarrThis richly illustrated book presents Germany’s geological evolution in the context of the Earth’s dynamic history. It starts with an introduction to Geology and explains the plate tectonic development, as well as the formation of both ancient and recent mountain belts – namely the Caledonian, Variscan and the modern-day Alps – that formed this part of Europe. A dedicated chapter discusses the origin of earthquakes in Germany, the occurrence of young volcanic rocks and the various episodes of rock deformation and metamorphism at these complex crossroads of plate tectonic history. The book highlights Germany’s diverse geological history, ranging from the origin of the Earth, the formation of deep crystalline rocks, and their overlying sedimentary sequences, to its more recent “ice age” quaternary cover. The last chapter addresses the shaping of the modern landscape. Though the content is also accessible for non-geologists, it is primarily intended for geoscience students and an academic audience.
The Geology of Greece (Regional Geology Reviews)
by Dimitrios I. PapanikolaouThis book introduces the reader to the unique geology of Greece. This country is a natural geology laboratory that can help us understand the present-day active geodynamic processes in the Hellenic orogenic arc, including earthquakes, volcanoes, coastline changes and other processes of uplift and subsidence, as well as the intense erosion, transport and deposition of sediments. Additionally, Greece offers a remarkable geological museum, reflecting the complex history of the area over the last 300 million years. By studying the rocks of Greece, one can discover old oceanic basins, e.g. in the Northern Pindos and Othrys mountains, crystalline rocks of Palaeozoic age, old granitic and volcanic rocks, as well as other sedimentary rocks including fossils from the shallow neritic facies to pelagic and abyssal facies. The younger sediments demonstrate the continuously changing palaeogeography of Greece, with areas of lakes, high plateaus and gulfs that are transformed into new forms of islands, peninsulas or high mountains, etc. All the above subjects are included in the book, which describes the tectonic structure of the geological strata, together with the evolutionary stages of the palaeogeography and geodynamics within the broader Mediterranean context. A special characteristic of the book is the development of the orogenic model of the Hellenides with the application of the tectono-stratigraphic terrane concept in the Tethyan system.
The Geology of Iberia: Volume 2: The Variscan Cycle (Regional Geology Reviews)
by Cecilio Quesada José Tomás OliveiraTaking a new global approach, this unique book provides an updated review of the geology of Iberia and its continental margins from a geodynamic perspective. Owing to its location close to successive plate margins, Iberia has played a pivotal role in the geodynamic evolution of the Gondwanan, Rheic, Pangea, Tethys s.l. and Eurasian plates over the last 600 Ma of Earth's history. The geological record starts with the amalgamation of Gondwana in the Neoproterozoic succeeded by the rifting and spreading of the Rheic ocean; its demise, which led to the amalgamation of Pangea in the late Paleozoic; the rifting and spreading of several arms of the Neotethys ocean in the Mesozoic Era and their ongoing closure, which was responsible for the Alpine orogeny. The significant advances in the last 20 years have attracted international research interest in the geology of the Iberian Peninsula. This volume presents the most comprehensive, careful and updated description of the variscan cycle in Iberia. This volume focuses in the different geological events since the Cambrian-Early Ordovician rift until the late variscan orocline formations including magmatic and metamorphic evolution.
The Geology of Iberia: Volume 3: The Alpine Cycle (Regional Geology Reviews)
by Cecilio Quesada José Tomás OliveiraTaking a new global approach, this unique book provides an updated review of the geology of Iberia and its continental margins from a geodynamic perspective. Owing to its location close to successive plate margins, Iberia has played a pivotal role in the geodynamic evolution of the Gondwanan, Rheic, Pangea, Tethys s.l. and Eurasian plates over the last 600 Ma of Earth's history. The geological record starts with the amalgamation of Gondwana in the Neoproterozoic succeeded by the rifting and spreading of the Rheic ocean; its demise, which led to the amalgamation of Pangea in the late Paleozoic; the rifting and spreading of several arms of the Neotethys ocean in the Mesozoic Era and their ongoing closure, which was responsible for the Alpine orogeny. The significant advances in the last 20 years have attracted international research interest in the geology of the Iberian Peninsula. This volume presents the most comprehensive, and updated description of the Alpine cycle in Iberia. This volume focuses in the different geological events during the Alpine orogeny as well as the lithological succession . This book is of interest not only for scientists of Portugal and Spain but also for geoscientists searching for analogies for oil and gas as well as tourists visiting the main mountain ridges of Iberia such as the Pyrenees.
The Geology of Iberia: Volume 4: Cenozoic Basins (Regional Geology Reviews)
by Cecilio Quesada José Tomás OliveiraPursuing an innovative, global approach, this unique book provides an updated review of the geology of Iberia and its continental margins from a geodynamic perspective. Owing to its location close to successive plate margins, Iberia has played a pivotal role in the geodynamic evolution of the Gondwanan, Rheic, Pangea, Tethys and Eurasian plates over the last 600 Ma of Earth’s history. The geological record starts with the amalgamation of Gondwana in the Neoproterozoic, which was succeeded by the rifting and spreading of the Rheic ocean; its demise, which led to the amalgamation of Pangea in the late Paleozoic; the rifting and spreading of several arms of the Neotethys ocean in the Mesozoic Era and their ongoing closure, which was responsible for the Alpine orogeny. The significant advances in the last 20 years have increasingly attracted international interest in exploring the geology of the Iberian Peninsula. This volume focuses on the Cenozoic basins of the Iberian Geology and consequently the most recent sedimentary features in the Iberian Geology apart of the active ones. In this book, you will find a detailed explanation of the alpine foreland basins, the extension of the west Mediterranean as well as the latest magmatism in Iberia.
The Geology of Iberia: Volume 5: Active Processes: Seismicity, Active Faulting and Relief (Regional Geology Reviews)
by Cecilio Quesada José Tomás OliveiraAdopting a global approach, this unique book provides an updated review of the geology of Iberia and its continental margins from a geodynamic perspective. Owing to its location close to successive plate margins, Iberia has played a pivotal role in the geodynamic evolution of the Gondwanan, Rheic, Pangea, Tethys and Eurasian plates over the last 600 Ma of Earth’s history. The geological record starts with the amalgamation of Gondwana in the Neoproterozoic, which was succeeded by the rifting and spreading of the Rheic ocean; its demise, which led to the amalgamation of Pangea in the late Paleozoic; and the rifting and spreading of several arms of the Neotethys ocean in the Mesozoic Era and their ongoing closure, which was responsible for the Alpine orogeny. The significant advances in the last 20 years have increasingly attracted international interest in exploring the geology of the Iberian Peninsula. This final volume of the Geology of Iberia focuses on the active geological processes in Iberia including seismicity and active faulting as well as the modern landscapes in the Iberian Peninsula.
The Geology of Iran: Tectonic, Magmatism and Metamorphism (Earth and Environmental Sciences Library)
by Mansour GhorbaniThis book describes the geological setting of Iran throughout geological history, referring to paleogeography and general geodynamics. Also, all structural units, faults, tectonic phases and orogeny occurred in the geology of Iran have been evaluated. Magmatic and metamorphic rocks along with ophiolitic complexes have extensive outcrops in Iran, and these rocks with Precambrian age constitute its basement. Study and identification of such rocks not only throws light on the geodynamic issues of Iran but also helps in recognition of the mode of formation and evolution of the sedimentary basins located within various structural divisions of the country. Moreover, the majority of metallic and non-metallic mineral deposits are associated either directly or indirectly with magmatic, and at time metamorphic, rocks. In the Magmatism and Metamorphism parts, it is tried to thoroughly consider the various aspects of the igneous rocks, whether intrusive, extrusive or young volcanoes, from the point of view of petrography, geochemistry and geodynamics. In addition, the major intrusive bodies of Iran have been presented along with their petrologic and chronologic specifications in tables, mentioning the bibliographic resources.
The Geology of Kuwait (Regional Geology Reviews)
by Ali Al-Dousari Abd el-aziz Khairy Abd el-aal Jasem Mohammed Al-AwadhiThis open access book contains a set of chapters covering all aspects of geosciences related to Kuwait and adjacent regions, including Iran, Saudi Arabia and the Arab Gulf states. It covers basic information about the geology including a wide range of geoscientific disciplines such as marine geology, structural geology, hydrogeology and geophysics related to the region. This book is aimed at researchers and students, as well as professionals in the field of hazard mitigation and petroleum exploration.
The Geology of North Africa (Regional Geology Reviews)
by Ezzoura Errami Zakaria Hamimi Abdel-Rahman Fowler Moulley Charaf Chabou Nuri Fello Amara Masrouhi Rémi LeprêtreThis richly illustrated book reviews the geology, tectonics, sedimentary basins and strategic resources of North Africa in 21 chapters. Chapter 1 is a regional synthesis. Chapter 2 examines the deep crustal and upper mantle structure. Chapter 3 compares the West African Craton. Chapters 4,5,6,7 deal with Pan-African-, Variscan (Hercynian)- and Alpine-Belts. Precambrian Geology of Hoggar Shield, north Central Africa will be addressed in Chapter 8. The North African Neoproterozoic and Phanerozoic sedimentary basins are the topic of Chapter 9. Phanerozoic magmatism and geodynamic framework of North Africa are addressed in Chapter 10. Chapters 11,12 deal with petroleum geology and water resources. Important non-metallic- and metallic- ore deposits are presented in Chapter 13,14,15,16. Chapters 17,18 explore geothermal energy and other strategic resources. Chapters 19,20 discuss seismicity, seismotectonics and Neotectonics, and Advances of exploration geophysics in North Africa. The lasttwo chapters (20, 21) focus on meteoric impact craters, geoheritage, geoparks and geotourism in North Africa.
The Geology of Stratigraphic Sequences
by Andrew D. MiallIt has been more than a decade since the appearance of the First Edition of this book. Much progress has been made, but some controversies remain. The original ideas of Sloss and of Vail (building on the early work of Blackwelder, Grabau, Ulrich, Levorsen and others) that the stratigraphic record could be subdivided into sequences, and that these sequences store essential information about basin-forming and subsidence processes, remains as powerful an idea as when it was first formulated. The definition and mapping of sequences has become a standard part of the basin analysis process. The main purpose of this book remains the same as it was for the first edition, that is, to situate sequences within the broader context of geological processes, and to answer the question: why do sequences form? Geoscientists might thereby be better equipped to extract the maximum information from the record of sequences in a given basin or region. Tectonic, climatic and other mechanisms are the generating mechanisms for sequences ranging over a wide range of times scales, from hundreds of millions of years to the high-frequency sequences formed by cyclic processes lasting a few tens of thousands of years
The Geology of the Arabian-Nubian Shield (Regional Geology Reviews)
by Zakaria Hamimi Alan Collins Abdel-Rahman Fowler Jean-Paul Liégeois Mohamed G. Abdelsalam Mohamed Abd EI-WahedThis richly illustrated book reviews the geology, tectonics and mineralization of the Arabian-Nubian Shield (ANS) in 27 chapters. It starts with an examination of the ANS lithospheric scale features, explores Mesoproterozoic units and deals with the ANS oceanic stage. Arc volcanism and plutonism, post-collision basins and volcanics are discussed, as well as the younger granitoid magmatism and the deformation history of the ANS. The book provides information on ANS glacial stages and late magmatism. Chapters are devoted to review the transition between ANS and the reworked continent to its south. Finally, it discusses how ANS structures influenced the overall East African Rift System.
The Geology of the Belingwe Greenstone Belt, Zimbabwe: A study of Archaean continental crust
by A. Martin M.J. Bickle E.G. Nisbet J.L. OrpenA study on the Bellingwe Greenstone Belt, presenting the stratigraphy of the belt, its structure and tectonic setting, the sedimentology of what may be a rift basin, the geochemistry of the freshest Archaean komatiites yet found, and models of the evolution of the region.
The Geology of the Egyptian Nubian Shield (Regional Geology Reviews)
by Zakaria Hamimi Shoji Arai Abdel-Rahman Fowler Mohammed Z. El-BialyThis richly illustrated book provides an overview of the Neoproterozoic Pan-African Belt of Egypt (PABE), which represents the northwestern continuation of the Arabian-Nubian Shield (ANS) and the East African Orogen (EAO). The first chapter offers an introduction to the Turin Papyrus Map and the historical background of the PABE, while the second addresses how the PABE is related to the ANS and EAO. Rock succession of the PABE is dealt with in Chapter 3, while Chapter 4 focuses on Sinai Metamorphic Core Complexes and implications on the break-up of Rodinia. Subsequent chapters discuss a broad range of topics, e.g. ophiolite-dominated suprastructural rocks; volcanosedimentary succession, Neoproterozoic volcanism and volcanic rocks in Egypt; enigmatic issues concerning granite, Dokhan and Hammamat sediments; the lithospheric mantle beneath the Northeast African continent and the mantle section of Neoproterozoic ophiolites from the PABE; sutures, megashears and petrogenetic evolution of the Neoproterozoic rocks of Egypt; and metallic and non-metallic mineral deposits in the PABE, which are covered in extensive detail. The book’s closing chapters discuss the application of remote sensing techniques and anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) to decipher the tectonic evolution of the PABE, as well as the use of geophysical data to map structural features and hydrothermal alteration zones in the PABE.
The Geology of the Everglades and Adjacent Areas
by Charles Roberts Edward J. PetuchPainting a complete picture of the history of the Everglades, The Geology of the Everglades and Adjacent Areas brings together theperspectives of various geoscientists to provides an overview of the geology, paleontology, and paleoceanography of the Everglades region. It emphasizes the upper 300 m of the geologic framework of the area and gives insight into the local stratigraphy, geomorphology, lithology, and historical geology. Building upon the geologic nomenclature and stratigraphic sequences set down by the Florida Geological Survey, the book includes redefinitions of some previously poorly known formations, the chronological fine-tuning of other poorly known units, and the description of 7 new members.Designed to be a field guide as well as a reference, the book is illustrated with photographs of exposed geologic sections, stratotype localities, collection sites, and details of interesting fossil beds. It contains 124 full-page illustrations with 69 black and white figures, 43 black and white plates of index fossils, and 12 full color plates of simulated space shuttle images of Florida’s ancient seas and coastlines. This text is accompanied by downloadable resources that feature animated maps along with a Power Point presentation of simulated space shuttle imagery of Eocene-to-Holocene Florida. The book is arranged by geologic time, ranging from the late Eocene, Oligocene, Miocene, Pliocene, and Pleistocene to the Holocene. The authors place lithostratigraphic descriptions of the geologic formations and members into this chronological framework, along with the paleogeography of the seas and lakes within which they were deposited. They also emphasize biostratigraphy with over 1000 index fossils listed and over 400 illustrated. The book brings together information previously spread through innumerable publications, saving you the time and effort it would take to assemble and cross-reference multiple sources.
The Geology, Ecology, and Human History of the San Luis Valley
by Jared Maxwell Beeton Charles Nicholas Saenz Benjamin James WaddellThe Geology, Ecology, and Human History of the San Luis Valley explores the rich landscapes and diverse social histories of the San Luis Valley, an impressive mountain valley spanning over 9,000 square miles that crosses the border of south-central Colorado and north-central New Mexico and includes many cultural traditions. Twenty-six expert scholars and educators—including geologists, geographers, biologists, ecologists, linguists, historians, sociologists, and consultants—uncover the natural and cultural history of the region, which serves as home to the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the San Juan Mountains, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, and the Rio Grande headwaters. The first section, “The Geology and Ecology of the San Luis Valley,” surveys the geomorphology, hydrology, animal and plant life, conservation, management, and mining of the valley’s varied terrain. The second section, “Human History of the San Luis Valley,” recounts the valley’s human visitation and settlement, from early indigenous life to Spanish exploration to Hispanic and Japanese settlements. This section introduces readers to the region’s wide range of religious identities—Catholic, Latter-day Saint, Buddhist, Jehovah’s Witness, Amish, and Mennonite—and diverse linguistic traditions, including Spanish, English, Dutch, Danish, Japanese, and Mayan. The final section, “Travel Itineraries,” addresses recreation, specifically fly-fishing and rock climbing. The book provides a comprehensive overview of the endemic flora and fauna, human history of indigenous lifeways, and diverse settlement patterns that have shaped the region. The Geology, Ecology, and Human History of the San Luis Valley will appeal to students and scholars of geology, ecology, environmental history, and cultural history, as well as residents and tourists seeking to know more about this fascinating and integral part of Colorado and New Mexico. Contributors: Benjamin Armstrong, Timothy Armstrong, Deacon Aspinwall, Robert Benson, Lorrie Crawford, Kristy Duran, Jeff Elison, Eric Harmon, Devin Jenkins, Bradley G. Johnson, Robert M. Kirkham, Bessie Konishi, Angie Krall, Richard D. Loosbrock, Richard Madole, A. W. Magee, Victoria Martinez, James McCalpin, Mark Mitchell, R. Nathan Pipitone, Andrew Valdez, Rio de la Vista, Damián Vergara Wilson
The Geometry of Physics
by Theodore FrankelThis book provides a working knowledge of those parts of exterior differential forms, differential geometry, algebraic and differential topology, Lie groups, vector bundles and Chern forms that are essential for a deeper understanding of both classical and modern physics and engineering. Included are discussions of analytical and fluid dynamics, electromagnetism (in flat and curved space), thermodynamics, the Dirac operator and spinors, and gauge fields, including Yang–Mills, the Aharonov–Bohm effect, Berry phase and instanton winding numbers, quarks and quark model for mesons. Before discussing abstract notions of differential geometry, geometric intuition is developed through a rather extensive introduction to the study of surfaces in ordinary space. The book is ideal for graduate and advanced undergraduate students of physics, engineering or mathematics as a course text or for self study. This third edition includes an overview of Cartan's exterior differential forms, which previews many of the geometric concepts developed in the text.
The Geometry of Spacetime: A Mathematical Introduction to Relativity Theory (Graduate Texts in Physics)
by Rainer OloffThis book systematically develops the mathematical foundations of the theory of relativity and links them to physical relations. For this purpose, differential geometry on manifolds is introduced first, including differentiation and integration, and special relativity is presented as tensor calculus on tangential spaces. Using Einstein's field equations relating curvature to matter, the relativistic effects in the solar system including black holes are discussed in detail. The text is aimed at students of physics and mathematics and assumes only basic knowledge of classical differential and integral calculus and linear algebra.
The Geometry of Special Relativity (Textbooks in Mathematics)
by Tevian DrayThis unique book presents a particularly beautiful way of looking at special relativity. The author encourages students to see beyond the formulas to the deeper structure.The unification of space and time introduced by Einstein’s special theory of relativity is one of the cornerstones of the modern scientific description of the universe. Yet the unification is counterintuitive because we perceive time very differently from space. Even in relativity, time is not just another dimension, it is one with different propertiesThe book treats the geometry of hyperbolas as the key to understanding special relativity. The author simplifies the formulas and emphasizes their geometric content. Many important relations, including the famous relativistic addition formula for velocities, then follow directly from the appropriate (hyperbolic) trigonometric addition formulas.Prior mastery of (ordinary) trigonometry is sufficient for most of the material presented, although occasional use is made of elementary differential calculus, and the chapter on electromagnetism assumes some more advanced knowledge.Changes to the Second Edition The treatment of Minkowski space and spacetime diagrams has been expanded. Several new topics have been added, including a geometric derivation of Lorentz transformations, a discussion of three-dimensional spacetime diagrams, and a brief geometric description of "area" and how it can be used to measure time and distance. Minor notational changes were made to avoid conflict with existing usagein the literature. Table of Contents Preface1. Introduction.2. The Physics of Special Relativity.3. Circle Geometry.4. Hyperbola Geometry. 5. The Geometry of Special Relativity. 6. Applications.7. Problems III.8. Paradoxes.9. Relativistic Mechanics.10. Problems II.11. Relativistic Electromagnetism. 12. Problems III.13. Beyond Special Relativity. 14. Three-Dimensional Spacetime Diagrams.15. Minkowski Area via Light Boxes.16. Hyperbolic Geometry.17. Calculus.Bibliography. Author Biography Tevian Dray is a Professor of Mathematics at Oregon State University. His research lies at the interface between mathematics and physics, involving differential geometry and general relativity, as well as nonassociative algebra and particle physics; he also studies student understanding of "middle-division" mathematics and physics content. Educated at MIT and Berkeley, he held postdoctoral positions in both mathematics and physics in several countries prior to coming to OSU in 1988. Professor Dray is a Fellow of the American Physical Society for his work in relativity, and an award-winning teacher.
The Geomorphology of French Landscapes
by Adrian HarveyThis richly illustrated book provides a regionally focused overview about the landscapes and landforms of France. It is divided into two parts: the first chapters deal with the broad geology and geomorphology in the context of the present geomorphology of France. The second part provides a regionally-based treatment of the more detailed geomorphology. The book is aimed to an academic readership, as well as interested laymen.
The Geopolitics of Melting Mountains: An International Political Ecology of the Himalaya (Critical Studies of the Asia-Pacific)
by Alexander E. DavisThe book addresses the urgent need for rethinking the geopolitics and ecology in the Himalaya, by emphasising the entanglements between these two factors. Most international relations analyses of the Himalaya emphasize the central role of the region’s states and their great power struggles. By reducing the region to its state actors, however, we miss the intense more-than-human diversity of the region, and the crucial role that the mountains play in the global environment. In doing so, the book makes a major contribution to international relations theory by drawing on insights from international political ecology. It first theorises international political ecology and examines the Himalaya as a global region, before moving looking at the international aspects of political ecology in the Himalaya through key areas of the mountains where international politics and ecology are deeply, inextricably linked. It presents three detailed case studies of different environmental and political issues in the Himalaya: icecaps (the India-China-Pakistan boundary dispute in the western Himalaya), foothills and forests (the Nepal-Bhutan-Sikkim borderlands), and rivers (the India-China Bangladesh dispute over the Brahmaputra River basin). Each case study draws on a mix of source materials including fieldwork, government sources, foreign policy discourse, Himalayan ethnographies, and environmental and ecological sciences scholarship.