Earth Sciences

A lavish, gorgeously-illustrated look at the strange worlds below the surface of our planet

A field guide to the volcanoes, volcanic features and dramatic landscapes of Tongariro National Park. New Zealand sits precariously on the collision zone between the continental Australian Plate and the Oceanic Pacific Plate, one of the most active tectonic settings in the world.... At the apex of New Zealand's most concentrated area of geothermal activity is the Tongariro Volcanic Centre, a zone slowly widening as the Earth's crust is stretched and thinned by the relentless forces beneath. Tongariro Field Guide provides a comprehensive introduction to the Tongariro Volcanic Centre and the incredible forces that shape and mould the landscape. It tells the turbulent history of the volcanoes, explains the inherent processes at work with detailed photographs and diagrams, identifies the volcanic features found in the park - vents, peaks and flows - and shows you where to find them on the park's famous walks and tracks. Included are the post-eruption events of Ruapehu in 1995-1996, the long-predicted dam burst of the Crater Lake and safe passage of the major lahar in 2007, and the recent eruptions from Mount Tongariro, the first from this volcano in a century. On a smaller scale, Tongariro Field Guide updates the research work of New Zealand scientists, including the study of ash layers using improved techniques to reveal previously incorrect predictions about the age of the volcanoes in the area.
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Thousands of Earthquakes occur in New Zealand every year, some so small we don't feel them. Others such as the recent quakes in Christchurch and Kaikoura cause significant damage. This book explains what causes earthquakes and why New Zealand has so many, what types of quake occu...r and the most frequently affected areas of the country.
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In this inspiring manifesto, an internationally renowned oceanographer makes the provocative case for why protecting nature makes economic sense. Enric Sala wants to change the world--and in this groundbreaking book, he shows us how. Once we appreciate how nature works, he assert...s, we will understand why its preservation is economically practical and essential to our survival. In this highly readable narrative, Sala, director of National Geographic's Pristine Seas project, tells the story of his scientific awakening, the colorful mentors whose work inspired him, and his transition from academic to activism--because, as he put it, he was tired of writing the obituary of the ocean. His revelations are surprising, and sometimes counterintuitive: Lots of sharks are actually the best indicator of a healthy ocean ecosystem, and crop diversity, rather than intensive monoculture farming, is the key to planetary abundance. For decades, Sala has spearheaded ocean protection, convincing world leaders to protect areas amounting to five times the size of Texas--and he is still passionately pushing for more. Using fascinating examples from his own expeditions and groundbreaking findings from other scientists, Sala builds the case for the economic wisdom of making room for nature, even as the population builds to eight million and grows more urbanized by the decade. Both relatable and inspiring, this powerful book will change the way you think about the world--and the future.
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In his new global food history, the internationally bestselling author says if we can save the salmon, we can save the world