Volcanoes are compelling evidence that the Earth is a dynamic planet characterized by endless change and renewal. Study of volcanoes is thus fundamental to understanding the evolution of the Earth and the surface environments. On an ever more crowded planet the exposure to natural hazards is increasing. An estimated 800 million people live within 100 km of an active volcano in 86 countries worldwide. Volcanoes provide favorable environments for life and bring many benefits to society: eruptions fertilize soils; elevated topography provides good sites for infrastructure (e.g., telecommunications on elevated ground); water resources are commonly plentiful; volcano tourism can be lucrative; and volcanoes can acquire spiritual, aesthetic, or religious significance. Some volcanoes are also associated with geothermal resources, making them a target for exploration and a potential energy resource.

More than ever before, a compelling need exists for an encyclopedic resource about soil the rich mix of mineral particles, organic matter, gases, and soluble compounds that foster both plant and animal growth. Civilization depends more on the soil as human populations continue to grow and increasing demands are placed upon available resources.

The Encyclopedia of Soils in the Environmentis a comprehensive and integrated consideration of a topic of vital importance to human societies in the past, present, and future. This important work encompasses the present knowledge of the world's variegated soils, their origins, properties, classification, and roles in the biosphere. A team of outstanding, international contributors has written over 250 entries that cover a broad range of issues facing today's soil scientists, ecologists, and environmental scientists.

This four-volume set features thorough articles that survey specific aspects of soil biology, ecology, chemistry and physics. Rounding out the encyclopedia's excellent coverage, contributions cover cross-disciplinary subjects, such as the history of soil utilization for agricultural and engineering purposes and soils in relation to the remediation of pollution and the mitigation of global climate change.

Карта мира меняется очень быстро. Победа народно-демократического строя в ряде стран Европы и Азии, образование новых независимых государств в результате распада колониальной системы империализма, крепнущие связи СССР с другими странами социалистического мира и развивающиеся контакты с капиталистическими странами вызывают у советского читателя большой интерес к географии зарубежных стран.

В настоящий том вошли статьи на буквы «Ю»—«Я», а также дополнительные статьи, отражающие новейшие изменения в физической и экономической географии СССР и зарубежных стран и не помещённые в предыдущих томах. Включённый в том раздел «Народы мира» подготовлен научными сотрудниками Института этнографии АН СССР. В «Справочном отделе» сконцентрированы сводные систематизированные в табличной форме данные по физической и экономической географии, многие из которых впервые публикуются в энциклопедических изданиях.

Со времени выхода в свет первых трёх томов Краткой Географической Энциклопедии (КГЭ) произошли важные события в жизни СССР и зарубежных стран, которые, естественно, не могли получить отражения в вышедших томах. Так, в соответствии с решениями Партии и Правительства, вместо административных экономических районов в союзных республиках образовано 47 экономических районов. Внесены также изменения в состав крупных экономических районов Союза ССР.

The Kluwer Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series provides comprehensive and authoritative coverage of all the main areas in the Earth Sciences. Each volume comprises a focused and carefully chosen collection of contributions from leading names in the subject, with copious illustrations and reference lists.
These books represent one of the world’s leading resources for the Earth Sciences community. Previous volumes are being updated and new works published so that the volumes will continue to be essential reading for all professional earth scientists, geologists, geophysicists, climatologists, and oceanographers as well as for teachers and students.
See the back of this volume for a current list of titles in the Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series.

The encyclopedia of dinosaurs and other prehistoric life begins with an introductory section that provides an overview to understanding fossils, evolution, and prehistoric life. This is followed by the four main sections of the book, which cover the major groups of prehistoric animals – Fish and Invertebrates, Amphibians and Reptiles, Dinosaurs and Birds, and Mammals and their Ancestors. Each entry in these four sections covers a particular prehistoric animal or a group of such animals. An extensive reference section at the back of the book contains a fossil timeline, details of how paleontologists find and study fossils, and biographies of noted researchers. <...>