Jan Zalasiewicz 2018. Geology: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press 145p.
JZ presents the story of geology in the compact format of the 'Very Short Introduction' series by OUP. There are over 550 titles in the VSI series and 'Geology' is a welcome addition.
Earth history from the very beginning to the Anthropocene- neatly illustrated; -and properly indexed. Go to L in the index, look for Loess- we have an entry- p.83. We will have to quote- the temptation is too great:
"These are still widely called 'drift' deposits (from the old idea that many formed from drifting icebergs), but are more technically referred to as 'superficial' or 'surficial' deposits. Not all relate to glaciation, by any means. In low latitude parts of the world they can include thick windblown sand deposits, as in parts of the Sahara, or the thick windblown silt or loess that covers much of Central China, having been blown there during the past two and a half million years from the Himalayas, and peat bog deposits. Where large rivers such as the Mississippi or Ganges-Brahmaputra meet the sea, huge deltas build out. "
Good to see the Himalayas acknowledged as the source of loess material; and two and a half million years of loess deposition. Is Central China the place or would the loess region be better described as northern China? and where do the peat bog deposits contribute?
Another relevant VSI book is The Ice Age by Jamie Woodward:
Jamie Woodward 2014. The Ice Age: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press 163p.
This is in many ways an excellent study of Quaternary matters- but there is one terrible short-coming.
Look in the index, go to L- where is Loess? Why does JW not mention loess? surely Loess is one of the most interesting and significant of the Ice Age deposits.
JZ presents the story of geology in the compact format of the 'Very Short Introduction' series by OUP. There are over 550 titles in the VSI series and 'Geology' is a welcome addition.
"These are still widely called 'drift' deposits (from the old idea that many formed from drifting icebergs), but are more technically referred to as 'superficial' or 'surficial' deposits. Not all relate to glaciation, by any means. In low latitude parts of the world they can include thick windblown sand deposits, as in parts of the Sahara, or the thick windblown silt or loess that covers much of Central China, having been blown there during the past two and a half million years from the Himalayas, and peat bog deposits. Where large rivers such as the Mississippi or Ganges-Brahmaputra meet the sea, huge deltas build out. "
Good to see the Himalayas acknowledged as the source of loess material; and two and a half million years of loess deposition. Is Central China the place or would the loess region be better described as northern China? and where do the peat bog deposits contribute?
Another relevant VSI book is The Ice Age by Jamie Woodward:
Jamie Woodward 2014. The Ice Age: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press 163p.
This is in many ways an excellent study of Quaternary matters- but there is one terrible short-coming.
Look in the index, go to L- where is Loess? Why does JW not mention loess? surely Loess is one of the most interesting and significant of the Ice Age deposits.
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