Jan Zalasiewicz, profesor de paleobiología en la Universidad de Leicester, profundiza en el Antropoceno.
Jan Zalasiewicz es profesor de paleobiología en la Universidad de Leicester, Reino Unido. Al principio de su carrera, fue geólogo de campo y paleontólogo en el Servicio Geológico Británico, trabajando para descifrar los estratos del este de Inglaterra y luego las montañas del centro de Gales. Ahora, enseña geología e historia de la Tierra a estudiantes de pregrado y posgrado, y estudia ecosistemas y entornos fósiles a lo largo de más de quinientos millones de años de tiempo geológico. En los últimos años, ha estado involucrado en ayudar a desarrollar ideas sobre el Antropoceno, el concepto de que los humanos ahora impulsan gran parte de la geología en la superficie de la Tierra, y preside el Grupo de Trabajo de Antropoceno de la Comisión Internacional de Estratigrafía.
Geology: A Very Short Introduction pdf por 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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