Carbon plays a fundamental role on Earth. It forms the chemical backbone for all essential organic molecules produced by living organisms. Carbon-based fuels supply most of society's energy, and atmospheric carbon dioxide has a huge impact on Earth's climate. This book provides a complete history of the emergence and development of the new interdisciplinary field of deep carbon science. It traces four centuries of history during which the inner workings of the dynamic Earth were discovered, and documents extraordinary scientific revolutions that changed our understanding of carbon on Earth forever: carbon's origin in exploding stars; the discovery of the internal heat source driving the Earth's carbon cycle; and the tectonic revolution. Written with an engaging narrative style and covering the scientific endeavours of more than a hundred pioneers of deep geoscience, this is a fascinating book for students and researchers working in Earth system science and deep carbon research.

Author: Simon Mitton
Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 01/28/2021
Pages: 382
Weight: 1.6lbs
Size: 9.10h x 7.70w x 0.80d
ISBN: 9781108426695


Review Citation(s):
Choice 11/01/2021

About the Author
Mitton, Simon: - Simon Mitton is a Life Fellow at St Edmund's College, University of Cambridge. For more than fifty years he has passionately engaged in bringing discoveries in astronomy and cosmology to the general public. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, a former Vice-President of the Royal Astronomical Society, and a Fellow of the Geological Society. The International Astronomical Union designated asteroid 4027 as Minor Planet Mitton in recognition of his extensive outreach activity and that of Dr Jacqueline Mitton.