Encyclopedia of Geology

Encyclopedia of Geology, Second Edition presents state-of-the-art reviews on the various aspects of geologic research, all of which have moved on considerably since the writing of the first edition. New areas of discussion include extinctions, origins of life, plate tectonics and its influence on faunal provinces, new types of mineral and hydrocarbon deposits, new methods of dating rocks, and geological processes. Users will find this to be a fundamental resource for teachers and students of geology, as well as researchers and non-geology professionals seeking up-to-date reviews of geologic research. It penetrates the technical jargon, making important concepts and findings accessible to non-specialists.

• Provides a comprehensive and accessible one-stop shop for information on the subject of geology, explaining methodologies and technical jargon used in the field
• Highlights connections between geology and other physical and biological sciences, tackling research problems that span multiple fields
• Fills a critical gap of information in a field that has seen significant progress in past years
• Ideal reference for a wide range of scientists in earth and environmental areas of study

Researchers, teachers and students of Geology, providing up-to-date reviews of all essential topics, highlighting and summarizing the most important, recent discoveries. It also serves non-geology professionals including researchers and practitioners in Biology (the paleontology aspects), Chemistry (mineralogy, geochemistry), Environmental Science, Civil Engineering and Hydrology

I. Introduction
A. History of Geological Science
B. Philosophy of Geology

II. The Earth and Its Place in the Solar System
A. Origins of the Solar System
B. Asteroid impacts
C. Lunar studies and the age of the Earth
D. Meteorite impacts

III. Geophysics
A. Earth Structure
B. Electrical Methods
C. Geodesy and Gravity
D. Geodynamics
E. Geomagnetism
F. Mineral Physics
G. Seismology

IV. Earth History
A. Dating Techniques (Annual Layers, Biological Methods, Chemical Methods, Geomagnetic Methods, Radiometric Methods)
B. Stratigraphic Methods and Development of the Stratigraphic Column
C. Paleoclimates
D. The Pre-Cambrian
E. The Paleozoic
F. The Mesozoic
G. The Cenozoic
H. Glaciation in Earth History

V. Geochemistry
A. Analytical Geochemistry
B. Isotope Geochemistry
C. High-Temperature Geochemistry
D. Low-Temperature Geochemistry
E. Organic and Petroleum Geochemistry

VI. Mineralogy
A. Minerals
B. Crystallography
C. Silicates
D. Non-silicates

VII. Earth Surface Processes
A. Weathering and Erosion
B. Fluid flow and sediment transport
C. Glacial processes and landscapes
D. Rivers and Lakes
E. Marine processes and landscapes
F. Soil Formation
G. Wind processes and landscapes
H. Tectonic Geomorphology

VIII. Igneous Geology
A. Melting and crystallization processes
B. Igneous rocks
C. Volcanism: eruption mechanisms
D. Volcanic products
E. Volcanic environmental issues (past and present)

IX. Metamorphic Geology
A. Metamorphism
B. Metamorphic Rocks

X. Tectonics and Structural Geology
A. Nature of Tectonic Plate Movements
B. History of Continental Movements
C. Mountain Building Processes
D. Tectonics and Volcanism

XI. Regional Geology

XII. Geological Resources
A. Oil/gas (conventional and unconventional; fracking)
B. Coal
C. Minerals (metallic, non-metallic/industrial, nuclear fuel)
D. Exploration methods (to include geophysical and geochemical methods, remote sensing)
E. Mining/extraction methods
F. Uses, constraints, reserves
G. Environmental impacts
H. Geothermal resources

XIII. Other geological applications
A. Geological mapping
B. Engineering Geology (including waste disposal)
C. Hydrogeology
D. Forensic Geology