Our Magnetic Earth: The Science of GeomagnetismUniversity of Chicago Press, 15 nov. 2010 - 261 pages For the general public, magnetism often seems more the province of new age quacks, movie mad scientists, and grade-school teachers than an area of actual, ongoing scientific inquiry. But as Ronald T. Merrill reveals in Our Magnetic Earth, geomagnetism really is an enduring, vibrant area of science, one that offers answers to some of the biggest questions about our planet’s past—and maybe even its future. In a clear and careful fashion, he lays out the physics of geomagnetism and magnetic fields, then goes on to explain how Earth’s magnetic field provides crucial evidence for our understanding of continental drift and plate tectonics; how and why animals, ranging from bacteria to mammals, sense and use the magnetic field; how changes in climate over eons can be studied through variations in the magnetic field in rocks; and much more. Throughout, Merrill peppers his scientific account with bizarre anecdotes and fascinating details, from levitating pizzas to Moon missions to blackmailing KGB agents—a reminder that real science can at times be stranger, and more amusing, than fiction. A winning primer for anyone who has ever struggled with a compass or admired a ragged V of migrating geese, Our Magnetic Earth demonstrates that education and entertainment need not be polar opposites. |
Table des matières
Chapter 1 Magnetism and the Present Magnetic Field | 1 |
Chapter 2 Magnetic Field Reversals | 33 |
Chapter 3 Earths Internal Composition and the Origin of Earths Magnetic Field | 73 |
Chapter 4 The SunEarth Connection | 113 |
Chapter 5 Magnetic Orientation and Navigation by Animals | 144 |
Chapter 6 The Effects of Geomagnetism and Plate Tectonics on Climate and Paleoclimate | 177 |
Some Parting Comments | 214 |
Rock Magnetism Fundamentals | 217 |
Notes | 229 |
255 | |
Autres éditions - Tout afficher
Expressions et termes fréquents
animals atmosphere atoms average axis basalt Beth Tully carbon dioxide century changes chap chemical climate compass continental drift convection cooling crust cryptochrome Curie temperature cycle decrease dipole field direction dynamo models dynamo theory Earth Earth's magnetic field Earth’s surface electric currents electrons energy equator estimate example figure flow fluid geomagnetic geomagnetists global grain heat hypothesis ice age inner core intensity Kirschvink Little Ice Age magnetic field reversal magnetic storms magnetite magnetosphere magnetotactic bacteria mantle mathematical Maunder minimum measurements mechanism meteorites million years ago minerals mole rats Moon NASA netic field nondipole field occur ocean outer core paleomagnetic paleomagnetists particles percent planet plate tectonics pole primary magnetization produce radiation record referred remanent magnetization reversal chronology reverse polarity rocks rotation salmon scientific scientists sediments seismic sense Earth’s magnetic single-domain Snowball Earth solar activity solar wind Sun’s sunspots temperature tion University variation waves