Planet Earth Cosmology, Geology, and the Evolution of Life and Environment

The next few decades are likely to witness deep environmental crises, crises we will be able to cope with only through a clear understanding of the complex, delicate system of which we are part. Fortunately, the great advances made in all fields of science since World War II make it possible to reconstruct the entire life history of the world we live in, from the Big Bang to the present, and thus to understand how the system works. This book presents a global picture of our world - how it originated, how it evolved, how it works - and provides the background necessary to assess ways to stabilize it. Although the science is rigorous and quantitative, the book is written in an informal style and is readily accessible to anyone with a knowledge of high-school algebra.

Preface; Part I. Prolegomena: Science and Religion: 1. Monumental scientific discoveries, units of measurement and a warning about this book; Part II. Matter and Energy: 2. Atoms and photons; 3. The atomic nucleus; Part III. Cosmology; 4. Birth of the universe; 5. Measuring the universe; 6. The objects in the sky; 7. The solar system; 8. Earth in space; Part IV. Geology: 9. Minerals and gems; 10. Igneous rocks and volcanism; 11. The earth's interior; 12. Plate tectonics; 13. The atmosphere; 14. The hydrosphere; 15. Sediments and sedimentary rocks; 16. Sedimentary environments; 17. Diagenesis, metamorphism and rock deformation; 18. Stratigraphy; Part V. Evolution of Life and Environment: 19. Origin and early evolution of life; 20. The cryptozoic: sections and taxa; 21. Early phanerozoic phyla and related taxa; 22. The paleozoic; 23. The mesozoic; 24. The cenozoic; Part VI. The Historical Perspective; Part VII. Appendixes: A. Physical and chemical data; B. Chemical formulary; Part VIII. References and Subject Index.

This book presents a global picture of our world - how it originated, how it evolved, how it works - and provides the background necessary to assess ways to stabilize it. Although the science is rigorous and quantitative, the book is written in an informal style and is readily accessible.