Kooperativer Bibliotheksverbund

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Format: 1 online resource

ISBN: 9780691187723

Content: Mind over Magma chronicles the scientific effort to unravel the mysteries of rocks that solidified on or beneath Earth's surface from the intensely hot, molten material called magma. The first-ever comprehensive history of the study of such igneous rocks, it traces the development of igneous petrology from ancient descriptions of volcanic eruptions to recent work incorporating insights from physical chemistry, isotope studies, and fluid dynamics. Intellectual developments in the field--from the application of scientific methods to the study of rocks to the discovery of critical data and the development of the field's major theories--are considered within their broader geographical, social, and technological contexts. Mind over Magma examines the spread of igneous petrology from western Europe to North America, South Africa, Japan, Australia, and much of the rest of the world. It considers the professionalization and Anglicization of the field, detailing changes in publication outlets, the role of women, and the influence of government funding. The book also highlights the significant role that technological developments--including the polarizing microscope, high-temperature quenching furnaces, and instrumental analysis--have played in the discovery of new data and development of revolutionary insights into the nature of igneous rocks. Both an engagingly told story and a major reference, Mind over Magma is the only available history of this important field. As such, it will be appreciated by petrologists, geochemists, and other geologists as well as by those interested in the history of science.

Note: Frontmatter -- , CONTENTS -- , FIGURES -- , TABLES -- , PREFACE -- , THE FOUNDATIONAL ERA -- , 1. BREATH-PIPES AND IGNIVOMOUS MOUNTAINS -- , 2. BASALTES PRISMATIQUES -- , 3. FIRE OR WATER? -- , 4. THE "INSOLENTLY TRIUMPHANT DOGMAII -- , 5. SUBTERRANEOUS LAVA -- , THE PRIMITIVE ERA -- , 6. WET OR DRY? -- , 7. CLASSES AND ORDERS -- , 8. BASALT AND TRACHYTE -- , THE MICROSCOPE ERA -- , 9. MINUTE OBJECTS, GREAT CONCLUSIONS -- , 10. BASALT OR MELAPHYRE? -- , 11. PROVINCES AND PLUGS -- , 12. SPALTUNG UND KERNE -- , 13. PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY AND PETROLOGY -- , 14. THE LANGUAGE OF PETROLOGY -- , 15. MELDOMETERS AND THERMOCOUPLES -- , THE EXPERIMENTAL ERA -- , 16. CLEARING THE MISTS -- , 17. AN UNSURPASSED NATURAL LABORATORY -- , 18. CONE SHEETS AND CAULDRONS -- , 19. MAGMA OR EMANATIONS? -- , 20. PONTIFFS AND SOAKS -- , 21. MODES AND NORMS -- , THE GEOCHEMICAL ERA -- , 22. STRUCTURES AND SPECTRA -- , 23. THE SEA BELOW, THE HEAVENS ABOVE -- , 24. DELTA AND EPSILON -- , 25. MATHEMATICAL MODELING -- , 26. BOMBS AND BUFFERS -- , 27. CLASSIFICATION SALVAGED? -- , The Fluid Dynamical Era -- , 28. RAYLEIGH AND REYNOLDS -- , 29. PARADIGM LOST, PARADIGM REGAINED? -- , 30. PAST AND FUTURE -- , BIBLIOGRAPHY -- , INDEX OF NAMES -- , INDEX OF SUBJECTS , In English.

Language: English

DOI: 10.23943/9780691187723

URL: https://www.degruyter.com/doi/book/10.23943/9780691187723