The Highlands Controversy

The Highlands Controversy
Author: David R. Oldroyd
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
Total Pages: 470
Release: 1990-07-25
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9780226626352

The Highlands Controversy is a rich and perceptive account of the third and last major dispute in nineteenth-century geology stemming from the work of Sir Roderick Murchison. The earlier Devonian and Cambrian-Silurian controversies centered on whether the strata of Devon and Wales should be classified by lithological or paleontological criteria, but the Highlands dispute arose from the difficulties the Scottish Highlands presented to geologists who were just learning to decipher the very complex processes of mountain building and metamorphism. David Oldroyd follows this controversy into the last years of the nineteenth century, as geology was transformed by increasing professionalization and by the development of new field and laboratory techniques. In telling this story, Oldroyd's aim is to analyze how scientific knowledge is constructed within a competitive scientific community—how theory, empirical findings, and social factors interact in the formation of knowledge. Oldroyd uses archival material and his own extensive reconstruction of the nineteenth-century fieldwork in a case study showing how detailed maps and sections made it possible to understand the exceptionally complex geological structure of the Highlands An invaluable addition to the history of geology, The Highlands Controversy also makes important contributions to our understanding of the social and conceptual processes of scientific work, especially in times of heated dispute.

Geology and Landscapes of Scotland

Geology and Landscapes of Scotland
Author: Con Gillen
Publisher: Liverpool University Press
Total Pages: 607
Release: 2013-07-25
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1903544882

A comprehensive treatment of the glorious geology and scenery of Scotland. Profusely illustrated with photographs and maps, this is the complete account for the many for whom the geology and scenery of Scotland are special.

Beasts Before Us

Beasts Before Us
Author: Elsa Panciroli
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Total Pages: 321
Release: 2021-06-10
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1472983971

For most of us, the story of mammal evolution starts after the asteroid impact that killed the dinosaurs, but over the last 20 years scientists have uncovered new fossils and used new technologies that have upended this story. In Beasts Before Us, palaeontologist Elsa Panciroli charts the emergence of the mammal lineage, Synapsida, beginning at their murky split from the reptiles in the Carboniferous period, over three-hundred million years ago. They made the world theirs long before the rise of dinosaurs. Travelling forward into the Permian and then Triassic periods, we learn how our ancient mammal ancestors evolved from large hairy beasts with accelerating metabolisms to exploit miniaturisation, which was key to unlocking the traits that define mammals as we now know them. Elsa criss-crosses the globe to explore the sites where discoveries are being made and meet the people who make them. In Scotland, she traverses the desert dunes of prehistoric Moray, where quarry workers unearthed the footprints of Permian creatures from before the time of dinosaurs. In South Africa, she introduces us to animals, once called 'mammal-like reptiles', that gave scientists the first hints that our furry kin evolved from a lineage of egg-laying burrowers. In China, new, complete fossilised skeletons reveal mammals that were gliders, shovel-pawed Jurassic moles, and flat-tailed swimmers. This book radically reframes the narrative of our mammalian ancestors and provides a counterpoint to the stereotypes of mighty dinosaur overlords and cowering little mammals. It turns out the earliest mammals weren't just precursors, they were pioneers.

Geological Structures

Geological Structures
Author: Chris Pellant
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Total Pages: 194
Release: 2017-01-26
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 1472927273

Geological Structures is an easy-to-use, highly informative photographic field guide that introduces the great variety of geological structures to be found all around us. The authors' beautiful photography, extended captions and accessible text make interpreting and understanding geological structures simple, whether you're an amateur enthusiast keen to learn or a more experienced geologist. The three main rock groups - igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary - and their related structures are each covered in detail, followed by sections focusing on folds and folding, faults and faulting, and unconformities. Structures and related landforms are illustrated in more than 200 detailed colour photographs and their helpful captions assist with identification in the field. Each geological account includes an indication of the structure's formation and provides useful information on how to identify and understand its distinguishing features.

The Geology of Scotland, 4th edition

The Geology of Scotland, 4th edition
Author: N. H. Trewin
Publisher: Geological Society of London
Total Pages: 604
Release: 2003-02-24
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9781862391260

This 4th edition of The Geology of Scotland is greatly expanded from the previous edition with 34 authors contributing to 20 chapters. A new format has been adopted to provide a different perspective on the geology of Scotland. A brief introduction is followed by a chapter outlining some of the important historical aspects that in the 19th century placed Scottish geologists in the forefront of a new science. Scotland is constructed from a number of terranes that finally combined in roughly their present positions prior to about 410 million years ago. Thus the geology of each terrane is described up the time of amalgamation, providing chapters on the Southern Uplands, Midland Valley, Highlands, Grampian and Hebridean terranes. At the end of this section, a brief synthesis summarizes the events that resulted in the amalgamation of the various terranes into the present configuration. Traditional practice is followed in the description of the Old Red Sandstone, Carboniferous, Permo-Trias, Jurassic, Cretaceous, tertiary and Quaternary strata. A separate chapter covers Tertiary igneous rocks. An attempt is made to tell the story of the geological evolution of Scotland, rather than catalogue all areas and formations. Priority is given to the onshore geology, encouraging the reader to go into the field and visit some of the world-class geology on show in Scotland. The chapters are broadly-based, attempting to integrate the sedimentary and igneous histories, and summarize changes in palaeogeography and palaeoenvironments. Economic aspects are covered with chapters on Metalliferous Minerals, Bulk Resources, Coal and Hydrocarbons. A new departure is the chapter on aspects of Environmental Geology and sustainability. Additionally, this publication contains a colour section of 32 plates, illustrating aspects of Scottish Geology, as well as a coloured geological map of Scotland.