Jan Zalasiewicz, Professor für Paläobiologie an der University of Leicester, befasst sich mit dem Anthropozän.
Jan Zalasiewicz ist Professor für Paläobiologie an der University of Leicester, UK. Zu Beginn seiner Karriere war er Feldgeologe und Paläontologe beim British Geological Survey und arbeitete an der Entschlüsselung der Schichten Ostenglands und dann der Berge Zentralwales. Jetzt unterrichtet er Geologie und Erdgeschichte für Studenten und Doktoranden und untersucht fossile Ökosysteme und Umwelten über eine halbe Milliarde Jahre geologischer Zeit. In den letzten Jahren war er an der Entwicklung von Ideen zum Anthropozän beteiligt, dem Konzept, dass Menschen heute viel Geologie auf der Erdoberfläche vorantreiben, und leitet die Anthropozän-Arbeitsgruppe der Internationalen Kommission für Stratigraphie.
Geology: A Very Short Introduction pdf von Jan Zalasiewicz
Ranging across the 4.6 billion year history of the planet, geology is the subject that encompasses almost all that we see around us, in one way or another, and also much that we cannot see, beneath our feet, and on other planets. The fruits of geology provide most of the materials that give us shelter, and most of the energy that drives our modern lives. Within the study of geology lie some of the clues to the extraordinary impact our species is going to play out on the planet, in centuries and millennia to come.
In this Very Short Introduction Jan Zalasiewicz gives a brief introduction to the fascinating field of geology. Describing how the science developed from its early beginnings, he looks at some of the key discoveries that have transformed it, before delving into its various subfields, such as sedimentology, tectonics, and stratigraphy. Analyzing the geological foundations of the Earth, Zalasiewicz explains the interlocking studies of tectonics, geophysics, and igneous and metamorphic petrology and geochemistry; and describes how rocks are dated by radiometric dating. Considering the role and importance of geology in the finding and exploitation of resources (including fracking), he also discusses its place in environmental issues, such as foundations for urban structures and sites for landfill, and in tackling issues associated with climate change. Zalasiewicz concludes by discussing the exciting future and frontiers of the field, such as the exploration of the geology of Mars.
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