Although this book began life in 1976 with the title Plate Tectonics and Crustal Evolution, the subject matter has gradually changed focus with subsequent editions, and especially since the third edition in 1989. In the past decade it has become increasingly clear that the various components of Earth act as a single, interrelated system, often referred to as the Earth System. One reviewer of the fourth edition pointed out that the title of the book was no longer appropriate, since plate tectonics was not a major focus. For this reason, for what would have been the fifth edition of the Plate Tectonics book, I have introduced a new title for the book, Earth as an Evolving Planetary System, which will be continued into still later editions <...>

Книга проф. Л.Гейки, несмотря на полстолстие своего существования, нисколько не устарела, что уже в достаточной мере свидетельствует о таланте ее автора, К этому присоединяется замечательная простота и последовательность изложения, а также особый прием последнего, которым автор ставит читателя в положение начинающего исследователя и заставляет самого приходить к ряду последовательных выводов из наблюдаемых в природе процессов ифактов.

The science of meteoritics comprises the study of meteors, meteorites and extraterrestrial dust. The study of meteors is mainly concerned with the recording and interpretation of high altitude objects that never fully penetrate our atmosphere, while the study of dust is a highly specialized branch that requires sophisticated sampling techniques for the collection and identification of the minute and controversial dust particles. The present work, on the other hand , deals mainly with the massive, tangible material. We will study the meteorite falls and finds and we will limit ourselves largely to the examination of such objects generally known as iron meteorites.

The original edition of this book, written by Gerald Lucy, was the first general account of Essex geology for a wide readership. In the years following that pioneer edition, the deep-time story of Essex has been further enriched – especially its ice age history – as we ourselves discovered following our retirement. Much of the ‘rock’ of Essex Rock is admittedly rather squashy and crunchy, but this does not deter geologists from defining it as ‘rock’. When we were both at university in the 1970s, Essex geology was dismissed as ‘gardening’. Like Rev. Eley, vicar of Broomfield, who in 1859 wrote Geology in the Garden, we looked more closely at the pebbles all around us. There is a story in every single one; we wanted to learn more and to share these stories. <...>

Medical geology studies exposure to or deficiency of macro- and micronutrients that may lead to health problems in humans and animals. The condition of our environment influences our health as mostly the water and food come from environmental sources. Medical geology helps us to understand the relationship between the aerosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere on human and animal health. The elements and minerals in soil, water, and atmospheric dust affect people and animals as there is a close relationship between the two.

This book is the product of a fascination in geoscience that started in my high school science and geography classes. This fascination grew further due to my interest in outdoor adventures, initially in the Brindabella Range behind Canberra, and then the alpine regions of the world. I took this interest to the next level by enrolling to study geoscience at university <...>