Log In
Or create an account ->
Imperial Library
Home
About
News
Upload
Forum
Help
Login/SignUp
Index
Cover
Title Page
Copyright
Contents
Preface
Chapter 1. Introduction: Earth and Life as Natural Systems
Introduction
The Power and Limitations of Scientific Reductionism
Chaos
“Systems”
Characteristics of “Natural Systems”
Natural Systems Are Out of Equilibrium
Natural Systems Are Maintained by External Energy Sources
“Steady-State Disequilibrium” Is Maintained by Feedbacks and Cycles
Summary
Supplementary Readings
Chapter 2. The Setting: The Big Bang and Galaxy Formation
Introduction
The Big Bang
The Red Shift: Measuring Velocity
Measuring Distance
The Velocity-Distance Relationship: Dating the Beginning
Added Support for the Big Bang Hypothesis
An Expanding Universe and Dark Energy
Aftermath of the Big Bang
Summary
Supplementary Readings
Chapter 3. The Raw Material: Synthesis of Elements in Stars
Introduction
The Chemical Composition of the Sun
Hydrogen, Helium, Galaxies, Stars
Descriptive Atomic Physics
Element Production during the Big Bang
Element Formation in Stars
Element Synthesis by Neutron Capture
Evidence Supporting the Stellar Hypothesis
Summary
Supplementary Readings
Chapter 4. Preliminary Fabrication: Formation of Organic and Inorganic Molecules
Introduction
Molecules
States of Matter
Volatility
Density
The Two Great Classes of Molecules: Inorganic and Organic
Minerals
Organic Molecules
Environments of Molecular Construction
Summary
Chapter 5. The Heavy Construction: The Formation of Planets and Moons from a Solar Nebula
Introduction
Planetary Vital Statistics
Planetary Mass
Planetary Densities
Planetary Composition
Evidence from Meteorites
Scenario for Solar System Creation
Understanding the Chemical Compositions of the Terrestrial Planets
Summary
Supplementary Readings
Chapter 6. The Schedule: Quantifying the Timescale with Radionuclides
Introduction
Measuring Time with Radioactive Decay
The Isochron Technique of Radioactive Dating
Age of the Chondrites and Earth
Age of the Elements
Unlocking the Secrets of Ancient Short-lived Processes with Extinct Radionuclides
26Al and the Presence of Supernovas in the Vicinity of the Solar Nebula
Summary
Supplementary Reading
Chapter 7. Interior Modifications: Segregation into Core, Mantle, Crust, Ocean, and Atmosphere
Introduction
Earth Structure
Chemical Composition of Earth’s Layers
Chemical Affinities of the Elements
Origin of Earth’s Layers
Separation of Core from Mantle
Timing of Core Formation
Origin of the Crust
Origin of the Atmosphere and Ocean
Summary
Chapter 8. Contending with the Neighbors: Moons, Asteroids, Comets, and Impacts
Introduction
The Diversity of Objects in the Solar System
Origin of the Moon
Using Impacts to Date Planetary Surfaces
Lunar Interior Modifications
History of Impacts in the Solar System
Implications for the Earth
Future Impacts
Summary
Supplementary Readings
Chapter 9. Making It Comfortable: Running Water, Temperature Control, and Sun Protection
Introduction
The Planetary Volatile Budget
Evidence for Liquid Water before 4.0 Ga
Stable Isotope Fractionation
Controls on Volatiles at the Surface
Atmospheric Loss to Space
Cycling of Volatiles between the Surface and Earth’s Interior
Surface Temperature
Earth’s Long-Term Thermostat
A Lesson from Venus
Snowball Earth
Sun Protection
Summary
Supplementary Readings
Chapter 10. Establishing the Circulation: Plate Tectonics
Introduction
The Static Earth Viewpoint
Continental Drift Theory
New Data from the Ocean Floor
Evidence from Paleomagnetism
Global Distribution of Seismicity
The Theory of Plate Tectonics
The Plate Tectonic Revolution
Movements through Time
Summary
Supplementary Readings
Chapter 11. Internal Circulation: Mantle Convection and Its Relationship to the Surface
Introduction
Movement of Earth’s Interior
Earth’s Topography and Mantle Flow
Mantle Convection
Must the Mantle Convect?
Does Plate Geometry Correspond to Mantle Convection Cells?
Active Mantle Upwelling: Plume Heads and Tails
Formation of the Ocean Crust at Spreading Centers
Summary
Supplementary Readings
Chapter 12. Linking the Layers: Solid Earth, Liquid Ocean, and Gaseous Atmosphere
Introduction
The Global System of Ocean Ridges
Hydrothermal Circulation at Spreading Centers
Ocean Ridges and Habitability
The Puzzle of Seawater Composition
Element Transport to the Subduction Zone
Geochemical Processing at Convergent Margins
Cause of Melting and Volcanism at Convergent Margins
Element Transport to the Continental Crust
Final Consequences of Plate Recirculation
Summary
Supplementary Readings
Chapter 13. Colonizing the Surface: The Origin of Life as a Planetary Process
Introduction
Life and the Universe
The Unity of Life
Life Is Cellular
All Life Uses the Same Groups of Molecules
All Life Uses the Same Chemical Machinery
Earliest Life
When Did Life Begin?
Life’s Origin
Steps in the Path to Life
Elemental and Simple Molecular Building Blocks
Making the Essential Biochemical Ingredients
Building Complex Molecules
A Cellular Container
The Missing Links
Some General Considerations on the Origin of Life
Summary
Supplementary Readings
Chapter 14. Dealing with the Competition: The Roles of Evolution and Extinction in Creating the Diversity of Life
Introduction
History of Life and Earth Revealed through the Rock Record
Relating Fossils to Present-Day Life: The Theory of Evolution
The DNA Revolution
The Extinction Half of Evolution
Summary
Supplementary Readings
Chapter 15. Energizing the Surface: Coevolution of Life and Planet to Create a Planetary Fuel Cell
Introduction
Life as an Electrical Current
A Reduced Early Earth
The First Three Energy Revolutions
The Planetary Fuel Cell
Summary
Chapter 16. Exterior Modifications: The Record of Oxidation of the Planetary Surface
Introduction
Earth and Oxygen
Carbon: The Record of Oxygen Production
Carbon: Evidence from the Rock Record
Iron and Sulfur: The Record of Oxygen Consumption
Iron: Evidence from the Rock Record
Sulfur: Evidence from the Rock Record
Evidence for High O2 in the Phanerozoic
Oxygen from 2.0 Ga to 0.6 Ga
Global Oxygen Mass Balance
Summary
Supplementary Readings
Chapter 17. Planetary Evolution: The Importance of Catastrophes and the Question of Directionality
Introduction
Planetary Evolution during the Phanerozoic
Causes of Extinction Events
The Cretaceous/Tertiary Extinction
The Permo-Triassic Extinction
Plate Tectonics and Evolution
Principles of Planetary Evolution?
Increased Relationship and Complexity
Change in Energy Utilization with Time
Speculations on the Possibility of Directionality to Evolution
Evolution of Habitability
Summary
Supplementary Readings
Chapter 18. Coping with the Weather: Causes and Consequences of Naturally Induced Climate Change
Introduction
Intermediate Term Climate Variations: Ice Ages
Orbital Cycles
Abrupt Climate Change
The Great Ocean Conveyor
Human Impacts
Summary
Supplementary Readings
Chapter 19. The Rise of Homo Sapiens: Access to Earth’s Treasure Chest Permits a Planetary Takeover
Introduction
Dawn of the Human Era
The Human Energy Revolution
Earth’s Treasure Chest
Classes of Resources
Resources with Short Recycling Times: Air and Water
Vast Resources with Recycling Potential: Metals
Finite Resources with No Recycling
Fossil Fuels
Soils
Biodiversity
Summary
Chapter 20. Mankind at the Helm: Human Civilization in a Planetary Context
Introduction
Human Impacts on the Earth
Climate
Ocean Acidification
Biodiversity
Future Prospects
Historical Perspectives on the Future
Possible Solutions
Solving Greenhouse Gas Accumulation
Energy from the Sun, Wind, and Atom
Carbon Capture and Sequestration
The Broader Problem
An Anthropozoic Era?
Summary
Supplementary Readings
Chapter 21. Are We Alone? The Question of Habitability in the Universe
Introduction
Comparative Planetology—Lessons from Venus and Mars
Planet Finding
New Results from Kepler
The Number of Other Inhabited Planets in the Galaxy: A Probabilistic Approach
Human Civilization in the Context of Planetary Evolution and Life in the Universe
Summary
Supplementary Readings
Glossary
Index
← Prev
Back
Next →
← Prev
Back
Next →