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Earth and Other Planets: Geology and Space Research (New Encyclopedia of Science)
Earth and Other Planets Geology and Space Research - New Encyclopedia of Science Author:Peter John Cattermole Space probes, manned and unmanned, have provided a wealth of new information about the composition and structures of the planets of our solar system since the 1960s, and over the same period the study of the Earth has been revolutionized by the theory of plate tectonics. This book looks at the Earth as a very special planet in the context of its... more » eight companions, and tells what is unique about our orbiting home and what it has in common with its neighbors. The author explains the composition of the various planets and other bodies in the solar system, and how they emerged from the solar nebula and heated up to develop a molten core. The structures of the other planets are similarly investigated, focusing on similarities and differences, and on the key question of why the Earth, apparently alone among the planets, developed crustal plates moving in response to convection currents in the mantle. These plate movements contributed importantly to the emergence of the land and oceans which have become essential features of the Earth, and made possible the emergence of life, which itself altered the Earth environment, producing an oxygen-rich atmosphere and eventually contributing to the shaping of the landscape. This unique book provides an overview of this fascinating geography, geology, and planetology, and combines essential reference material with a compelling account of modern theories in these important areas.« less