One Long Experiment: Scale and Process in Human History
Addressing the history of the earth in terms of geological process and the resolution of the fossil record, Ronald Martin presents a lucid report on the current state of knowledge of a group of interconnected themes -process, scale and hierarchy, and methodologies of historical sciences. He examines several pivotal questions about geologic history: What is the evidence for processes that occur over long periods of geologic history? Why are these long-term earth processes significant to the human race? How does one test hypotheses using the fossil record? And what, at the present state of knowledge, are the limits of that record?
As Martin explains, the project of the geologist is to interpret natural phenomena by integrating data into larger contexts, and constructing a historical narrative. Through the critical examination of these narratives, geologists can determine how the earth evolved into its present state. As Martin points out, however, the scale employed in measurement can cause wide variations in the results of any inquiry into geologic process. Martin addresses a wide range of topics, including taphonomy, bioturbation and temporal resolution, cycles of carbon dioxide, global cooling, and extinction. He richly supplements the theoretical framework with down-to-earth explanations of concepts and succinct definitions of key terminology.
One Long Experiment is an illuminating contribution to the literature, providing a much-needed background on scale and process for students and professionals in paleontology, stratigraphy, and related geologic disciplines.
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One Long Experiment: Scale and Process in Human History
Addressing the history of the earth in terms of geological process and the resolution of the fossil record, Ronald Martin presents a lucid report on the current state of knowledge of a group of interconnected themes -process, scale and hierarchy, and methodologies of historical sciences. He examines several pivotal questions about geologic history: What is the evidence for processes that occur over long periods of geologic history? Why are these long-term earth processes significant to the human race? How does one test hypotheses using the fossil record? And what, at the present state of knowledge, are the limits of that record?
As Martin explains, the project of the geologist is to interpret natural phenomena by integrating data into larger contexts, and constructing a historical narrative. Through the critical examination of these narratives, geologists can determine how the earth evolved into its present state. As Martin points out, however, the scale employed in measurement can cause wide variations in the results of any inquiry into geologic process. Martin addresses a wide range of topics, including taphonomy, bioturbation and temporal resolution, cycles of carbon dioxide, global cooling, and extinction. He richly supplements the theoretical framework with down-to-earth explanations of concepts and succinct definitions of key terminology.
One Long Experiment is an illuminating contribution to the literature, providing a much-needed background on scale and process for students and professionals in paleontology, stratigraphy, and related geologic disciplines.
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One Long Experiment: Scale and Process in Human History

One Long Experiment: Scale and Process in Human History

by Ronald Martin
One Long Experiment: Scale and Process in Human History

One Long Experiment: Scale and Process in Human History

by Ronald Martin

Hardcover

$150.00 
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Overview

Addressing the history of the earth in terms of geological process and the resolution of the fossil record, Ronald Martin presents a lucid report on the current state of knowledge of a group of interconnected themes -process, scale and hierarchy, and methodologies of historical sciences. He examines several pivotal questions about geologic history: What is the evidence for processes that occur over long periods of geologic history? Why are these long-term earth processes significant to the human race? How does one test hypotheses using the fossil record? And what, at the present state of knowledge, are the limits of that record?
As Martin explains, the project of the geologist is to interpret natural phenomena by integrating data into larger contexts, and constructing a historical narrative. Through the critical examination of these narratives, geologists can determine how the earth evolved into its present state. As Martin points out, however, the scale employed in measurement can cause wide variations in the results of any inquiry into geologic process. Martin addresses a wide range of topics, including taphonomy, bioturbation and temporal resolution, cycles of carbon dioxide, global cooling, and extinction. He richly supplements the theoretical framework with down-to-earth explanations of concepts and succinct definitions of key terminology.
One Long Experiment is an illuminating contribution to the literature, providing a much-needed background on scale and process for students and professionals in paleontology, stratigraphy, and related geologic disciplines.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780231109048
Publisher: Columbia University Press
Publication date: 04/29/1998
Series: The Critical Moments and Perspectives in Earth History and Paleobiology
Pages: 272
Product dimensions: 0.75(w) x 6.00(h) x 9.00(d)
Age Range: 18 Years

About the Author

Ronald E. Martin is associate professor of geology at the University of Delaware, Newark. He is the winner of the Best Paper Award for 1996 for his essay "Secular Increase in Nutrient Levels Through the Phanerozoic: Implications for Productivity, Biomass, and Diversity of the Marine Biosphere," which appeared in the journal Palaios.
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