The Earth: a Very Short Introduction

For generations the ground beneath the feet of our ancestors seemed solid and unchanging. Around 30 years ago two things happened that were to revolutionize the understanding of our home planet. First geologists realized that the continents themselves were drifting across the surface of the globe and that oceans were being created and destroyed. Secondly pictures of the entire planet were returned from space. As the astronomer Fred Hoyle had predicted this 'let loose an idea as powerful as any in history'. Suddenly the Earth began to be viewed as a single entity; a dynamic interacting whole controlled by complex processes we scarcely understood. It began to seem less solid. As one astronaut put it 'a blue jewel on black velvet; small fragile and touchingly alone'. Geologists at last were able to see the whole as well as the detail; the wood as well as the trees. This book brings their account up to date with the latest understanding of the processes that govern our planet. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts analysis perspective new ideas and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Alternative names:

• ISBN The Earth: A Very Short Introduction English