The Behavior of the Earth: Continental and Seafloor Mobility
by Claude Allègre
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Description
Well over a century after Darwin gave biology its unifying theory of evolution, the earth sciences experienced a similar revolution and the theory of plate tectonics took hold. Plate tectonics posed the idea that the earth's crust is divided into a number of large, thin plates always in motion relative to one another. In The Behavior of the Earth, world-renowned earth scientist Claude Alle gre sets forth the exciting events in this contemporary revolution from its first stirrings in the show more nineteenth-century and Alfred Wegener's original model of continental drift (1912) through the development of its full potential in modern plate-tectonic theory. Few scientific theories have been so all-encompassing, and none has surpassed plate tectonics in explaining such a wide variety of geological phenomena, from the origins of mountain building to the formation of the ocean floor. As it integrated our knowledge of the earth's surface with the investigation of its interior, plate tectonics fused two previously autonomous strains of scientific inquiry. Continental mobility changed for all time our view of the earth from a static globe to an evolving, living planet, and allowed us to see that changes in the earth's surface are but exterior manifestations of a dynamic interplay of forces within the crust and the mantle. Alle gre casts his lucid exposition of this scientific theory within the historical context of its struggle for acceptance. As he introduces us to the huge cast of personalities and researchers who contributed to the theory, he illuminates the complex role that the scientific community plays in the proliferation and acceptance of new ideas. Alle gre is as insightfulin discussing the human motivation for scientific endeavor as he is skillful in presenting the science that results from this effort. Richly illustrated and including a glossary, this book offers the reader rare access both to the central theory of plate tectonics and to the constellation of problems and possibilities that preoccupy earth scientists today." show lessTags
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Member Reviews
A very satisfying discussion of what was known of plate tectonics in 1988, together with some historical background. Interesting to realize just how much remains unresolved, in spite of the triumphs.
At least I now feel somewhat more secure about geology; while nothing close to an expert, I now have some knowledge of the scope of the science.
At least I now feel somewhat more secure about geology; while nothing close to an expert, I now have some knowledge of the scope of the science.
On y trouve autant d'histoire des sciences que de géologie. Une bonne partie au moins est facilement accessible, le reste ça dépend.. Ça donne envie d'aller (ou retourner) en Éthiopie ou en Islande.
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42+ Works 282 Members
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title*
- L'écume de la Terre
- Original title
- L'écume de la Terre; L'Écume de la Terre
- Original language*
- Français
*Some information comes from Common Knowledge in other languages. Click "Edit" for more information.
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- Members
- 24
- Popularity
- 1,106,757
- Reviews
- 2
- Rating
- (3.00)
- Languages
- English, French, Portuguese
- Media
- Paper
- ISBNs
- 5
