The Story of the Earth in 25 Rocks: Tales of Important Geological Puzzles and the People Who Solved Them - Prothero, Donald R. Review & Synopsis

 Synopsis

Every rock is a tangible trace of the earth's past. The Story of the Earth in 25 Rocks tells the fascinating stories behind the discoveries that shook the foundations of geology. In twenty-five chapters-each about a particular rock, outcrop, or geologic phenomenon-Donald R. Prothero recounts the scientific detective work that shaped our understanding of geology, from the unearthing of exemplary specimens to tectonic shifts in how we view the inner workings of our planet. 

Prothero follows in the footsteps of the scientists who asked-and answered-geology's biggest questions: How do we know how old the earth is? What happened to the supercontinent Pangea? How did ocean rocks end up at the top of Mount Everest? What can we learn about our planet from meteorites and moon rocks? He answers these questions through expertly chosen case studies, such as Pliny the Younger's firsthand account of the eruption of Vesuvius; the granite outcrops that led a Scottish scientist to theorize that the landscapes he witnessed were far older than Noah's Flood; the salt and gypsum deposits under the Mediterranean Sea that indicate that it was once a desert; and how trying to date the age of meteorites revealed the dangers of lead poisoning. Each of these breakthroughs filled in a piece of the greater puzzle that is the earth, with scientific discoveries dovetailing with each other to offer an increasingly coherent image of the geologic past. Summarizing a wealth of information in an entertaining, approachable style, The Story of the Earth in 25 Rocks is essential reading for the armchair geologist, the rock hound, and all who are curious about the earth beneath their feet.

Review

Donald R. Prothero has taught paleontology and geology for almost four decades. He is adjunct professor of geological sciences at California State Polytechnic University in Pomona, adjunct professor of geology at Pierce College, and research associate in vertebrate paleontology at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. His Columbia University Press books include Bringing Fossils to Life: An Introduction to Paleobiology (third edition, 2013); The Story of Life in 25 Fossils: Tales of Intrepid Fossil Hunters and the Wonders of Evolution (2015); and Evolution: What the Fossils Say and Why It Matters (second edition, 2017).A natural follow-up to the author's The Story of Life in 25 Fossils . . . [A] useful introduction to geology. (Kirkus Reviews)

In 25 short and enjoyable chapters, [Prothero] explores issues that have been at the center of geology since long before geology was a science... Prothero provides thought-provoking historical context for each subject and presents information about the individuals responsible for advancing geological knowledge-including James Hutton, Charles Lyell, and Alfred Wegener-while explaining the underlying science in an accessible manner. (Publishers Weekly)

Geologist Donald Prothero has crafted a rock-solid premise for this delightful book. (Barbara Kiser Nature)

I learned something and gained a deeper appreciation for the history of Earth science from reading The Story of the Earth in 25 Rocks. I recommend it to anyone interested in tales of scientific discovery and natural marvels. (Physics Today)

Skillfully presents a vast array of facts that should appeal to readers newly acquainted with Earth science who are interested in learning a bit more. (Choice)

The Story of the Earth in 25 Rocks provides twenty-five well-lit doorways into the sometimes dark and imposing edifice of the geologic past. Colorful characters welcome the reader in, revealing the very human nature of scientific inquiry and our long and complicated relationship with rocks. (Marcia Bjornerud, author of Reading the Rocks: The Autobiography of Earth)

The Story of the Earth in 25 Rocks

Every rock is a tangible trace of the earth’s past. The Story of the Earth in 25 Rocks tells the fascinating stories behind the discoveries that shook the foundations of geology. In twenty-five chapters—each about a particular rock, outcrop, or geologic phenomenon—Donald R. Prothero recounts the scientific detective work that shaped our understanding of geology, from the unearthing of exemplary specimens to tectonic shifts in how we view the inner workings of our planet. Prothero follows in the footsteps of the scientists who asked—and answered—geology’s biggest questions: How do we know how old the earth is? What happened to the supercontinent Pangea? How did ocean rocks end up at the top of Mount Everest? What can we learn about our planet from meteorites and moon rocks? He answers these questions through expertly chosen case studies, such as Pliny the Younger’s firsthand account of the eruption of Vesuvius; the granite outcrops that led a Scottish scientist to theorize that the landscapes he witnessed were far older than Noah’s Flood; the salt and gypsum deposits under the Mediterranean Sea that indicate that it was once a desert; and how trying to date the age of meteorites revealed the dangers of lead poisoning. Each of these breakthroughs filled in a piece of the greater puzzle that is the earth, with scientific discoveries dovetailing with each other to offer an increasingly coherent image of the geologic past. Summarizing a wealth of information in an entertaining, approachable style, The Story of the Earth in 25 Rocks is essential reading for the armchair geologist, the rock hound, and all who are curious about the earth beneath their feet.

Every rock is a tangible trace of the earth’s past. The Story of the Earth in 25 Rocks tells the fascinating stories behind the discoveries that shook the foundations of geology."

The Story of the Dinosaurs in 25 Discoveries

In The Story of the Dinosaurs in 25 Discoveries, Donald R. Prothero tells the fascinating stories behind the most important fossil finds and the intrepid researchers who unearthed them. He weaves together the dramatic tales of dinosaur discoveries with what modern science now knows about the species to which they belong.

In The Story of the Dinosaurs in 25 Discoveries, Donald R. Prothero tells the fascinating stories behind the most important fossil finds and the intrepid researchers who unearthed them."

The Story of Evolution in 25 Discoveries

The theory of evolution unites the past, present, and future of living things. It puts humanity's place in the universe into necessary perspective. Despite a history of controversy, the evidence for evolution continues to accumulate as a result of many separate strands of incredible scientific sleuthing. In The Story of Evolution in 25 Discoveries, Donald R. Prothero explores the most fascinating breakthroughs in piecing together the evidence for evolution. In twenty-five vignettes, he recounts the dramatic stories of the people who made crucial discoveries, placing each moment in the context of what it represented for the progress of science. He tackles topics like what it means to see evolution in action and the distance between species in space and time, following figures from Darwin to lesser-known researchers as they unlock the mysteries of the fossil record, the earth, and the universe. The book also features the stories of animal species strange and familiar, including humans--and our ties to some of our closest relatives and more distant cousins. Prothero's wide-ranging tales showcase awe-inspiring and bizarre aspects of nature and the powerful insights they give us into the way that life works. Brisk and entertaining while firmly grounded in fundamental science, The Story of Evolution in 25 Discoveries is a captivating read for anyone curious about the evidence for evolution and what it means for humanity.

In The Story of Evolution in 25 Discoveries, Donald R. Prothero explores the most fascinating breakthroughs in piecing together the evidence for evolution."

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New York: Doubleday, 1994. Probyn, Elspeth. Eating the Ocean. Durham: Duke University Press, 2017. Prothero , Donald R . The Story of the Earth in 25 Rocks : Tales of Important Geological Puzzles and the People Who Solved Them ."

지구 격동의 이력서, 암석 25

41억 년 전 생물의 존재를 암시하는 지르콘, 백악기 공룡 대멸종의 실마리 이리듐, 눈덩이 지구의 증거 다이어믹타이트… 지구와 우주의 25가지 조각으로 풀어낸 지질과 생명의 수수께끼! 시작은 단순한 호기심이었다. 1970년대, 월터 앨버레즈라는 젊은 지질학자는 이탈리아 구비오 근처에서 백악기 말기와 신생대 초기(팔레오세)에 걸친 두꺼운 석회암층을 기재하고 있었다. 그의 연구 주제는 공룡과는 전혀 관계가 없었다. 하지만 석회암 속에서 뚜렷하게 보이는 짙은 색의 점토층을 발견했을 때, 혹시 여기에 백악기 대멸종의 단서가 있는지 궁금해졌다. 희귀 원소인 이리듐을 측정했고, 결과는 충격적이었다. 이리듐은 그저 장기간 축적되었을 것이라고 예상할 수 있는 양보다 훨씬 많았다. 이를 어떻게 설명할지 궁리하던 그는 다음과 같은 생각에 도달했다. 만약 그 이리듐이 대부분 우주에서 왔다면? 마침내 계산을 통해, 지름 10~15킬로미터의 소행성이 백악기 말 지구에 부딪혔음을 알아냈다. 이로써 ‘무엇이 공룡들을 죽였는가?’라는 수수께끼도 해결됐다. TNT 1억 메가톤의 에너지를 지닌 이 소행성의 충돌로 인해 발생한 먼지구름이 지구 대기를 가득 채웠고, 태양빛이 차단되어 먹이사슬이 바닥부터 붕괴된 것이다. 사람들이 귀가 닳도록 들어온 ‘우주에서 바윗덩어리가 날아왔으며 그걸로 끝’이라는 대멸종 시나리오가 이렇게 만들어졌다. 많은 지질학자가 사건 종결을 선언했지만, 화석 기록은 시나리오가 그렇게 단순하지 않다고 말한다. 정답은 무엇일까? 이 논쟁은 처음 시작된 이래로 40년이 지난 지금까지도 사그라질 기미가 보이지 않는다. 고생물학자이자 지질학자인 도널드 R. 프로세로는 『지구 격동의 이력서, 암석 25』에서, 응회암부터 빙하표석까지 오늘날 이 땅을 이루는 중요한 암석과 그것을 만들어낸 지질현상을 탐구한다. 더불어 이와 관련된 역사적·문화적 배경을 살피면서 지구에 대한 사람들의 생각이 어떻게 달라졌는지 보여주며, 지질학의 발전을 이끈 과학자들의 이야기까지 담는다. 모든 암석에는 약 50억 년 전부터 끊임없이 변화해온 지구의 흔적이 고스란히 새겨져 있다. 이 책은 지구의 격동, 그리고 이를 탐구하는 과학의 역동성을 보여주는 지질학 입문서다.

도널드 R. 프로세로. The Story of the Earth in 25 Rocks Tales of Important Geological Puzzles and the People Who Solved Them Copyright © 2018 by Donald R . Prothero . Korean Translation Copyright © 2021 by Puriwa Ippari Korean edition is ..."

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