Looking into the Earth: An Introduction to Geological Geophysics

by Alan E. Mussett, M. Aftab Khan, Sue Button (Illustrator)

Overview

Looking into the Earth comprehensively describes the principles and applications of both "global" and "exploration" geophysics on all scales. It forms an introduction to geophysics for geologists, civil engineers, environmental scientists, and field archaeologists. The book is organized into two parts: Part 1 describes the geophysical methods, while Part 2 illustrates their use in a number of extended case histories. Mussett and Khan introduce mathematical and physical principles at an elementary level, and then develop them as necessary. Student questions and exercises are included at the end of each chapter. Written for introductory and intermediate level courses in geology, earth science, environmental science, and engineering, this is also an excellent introductory textbook in geophysics.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521785747
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	10/23/2000
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	492
Product dimensions:	8.54(w) x 10.98(h) x 0.98(d)

Table of Contents

Preface; 1. Introducing geophysics and this book; Part I. Geophysical Methods: 2. Data acquisition and reduction: carrying out a geophysical survey; 3. Data processing: getting more information from the data; 4. Global seismology and seismic waves; 5. Earthquakes and seismotectonics; 6. Refraction seismology; 7. Seismic reflection; 8. Gravity on a small scale; 9. Large-scale gravity and isostasy; 10. Palaeomagnetism and mineral magnetism; 11. Magnetic surveying; 12. Resistivity methods; 13. Induced polarisation and self-potential; 14. Electromagnetic methods; 15. The ages of rocks and minerals: radiometric dating; 16. Radioactive surveying; 17. Geothermics: heat and temperature in the Earth; 18. Well-logging and other sub-surface geophysics; Part II. Examples of Applications: 19. Which geophysical methods to use?; 20. Global tectonics; 21. Is the Kenya Rift a new plate margin? - a regional geophysical study; 22. Hydrocarbon exploration; 23. Exploration for metalliferous ores; 24. Volcanoes; 25. The Chicxulub structure and the K/T mass extinction; 26. Hydrogeology and contaminated land; 27. Location of cavities and voids; 28. Archaeological site surveying; References; Index.

Editorial Reviews

"...a well-written textbook which in its style and content provides a first class, sharp and well-focused introduction to geological geophysics. A very thorough introduction to the principles and practice of exploration and solid earth geophysics...gives the best coverage of geophysical case studies published to date...deserves the highest recommendation...an excellent text for undergraduates in the Earth Sciences." Professor Norman Hamilton, University of Southampton

"I have always been impressed with the quality (and excellent value!) of publications from Cambridge University Press. This book, certain to be very well received for undergraduate courses, is no exception...this volume has an attractive format and layout, numerous inset 'boxes' providing additional detail and focus, sharp figures, and juidcious use of color. This first impression was only reinforced when I dug into the book...I anticipate Looking into the Earth will become a standard textbook for years to come, stimulating the quantitive sides of impressionable minds." Geoscience Canada

"...uses a fresh, insightful, and comprehensive approach to overview geophysical methods and concepts. The treatment of this broad subject is thorough but is clearly written and does not get bogged down in details and mathematics. The illustrations are excellent." Professor G. Randy Keller, University of Texas at El Paso

"...the most readable geologically oriented geophysical text on the market..." Professor Mike Dentith, University of Western Australia

"This book is a beginner's guide to the methods and applications of solid earth geophysics. The methods section contains licid, common-sense explanations of geophysical tools and techiques under the headings data acquisition and processing, seismology, gravity, magnetism, electrical, radioactivity, geothermics, and subsurface geophysics...I recommand this book as an undergraduate text for prospective geophysicists." Society of Exploration Geophysicists

"This important book includes careful suggestions for further reading and also provides valuable summaries of the main ideas presented, together with sets of well conceived problems." /s Geophysical Journal International Review

"this volume succeeds in demonstrating how geophysics can be applied to the whole spectrum of geological problems from the environmental to the global...it should be the textbook for introducting geophysics and its applications to geologists and geophysics students and the study of geology to physicists...this book builds into a comprehensive introduction to the subject, the like of which I have not seen elsewhere...the book is well written in an ingaging style and very clearly illustrated with black and white and greyscale figures...This textbook is more than an aid to learning, it is an advert for its subject, and should interest and appeal to a wide readership...It should be on the shelves of every library, geophysics teacher and anyone taking an introductory course in geophysics, or who wants a sound readable introduction to the subject of geophysics in all its facets." Geologial Mag

"The major strength of the book, which comes through again and again in both the overall structure of the book, and in the layout of the chapters in the various subsections, is the author's emphasis on the simple physical principles behind the various geophysical techniques described the book...The book certainly gives the broadest range of case studies of any textbook that I have come across, and this section may help open some peoples eyes to the potential applications of geophysical techniques. Looking into the Earth is well produced, and the illustrations are of a high quality...Mussett and Khan have not only succeeded in providing a broad introduction to geophysics for the non-specialist, but have managed to do so in a book that is consistently readable, clear and concise. The blurb on the dustjacket includes a quote which calls this book "the most readable geologically oriented geophysical text on the market" I agree, and heartily recommend it.' Mineralogical Mag

From the Publisher