A Tectonic History of the Earth

A Tectonic History of the Earth provides a comprehensive exploration of the dynamic geological forces that have shaped our planet over the past 4,500 million years. At least four supercontinents have formed and subsequently dispersed during this time, each leaving a lasting imprint on the planet's structure. Written for Earth science scholars and students, this book recounts the history of the tectonic and magmatic events that accompanied these changes in crustal architecture, and explains how they may be integrated into the world-wide system of convection currents responsible for the transfer of heat from the interior of the Earth to its periphery. The author also discusses how these processes may be connected to significant environmental events such as ice ages and mass extinctions, illustrating how Earth's geology and its environment are intricately linked. Through a study of past tectonic patterns and their environmental consequences, certain predictions can be offered into Earth's potential future. Graham Park is Emeritus Professor of Tectonic Geology at the University of Keele and has published numerous books and research papers on tectonic geology. He is the author of the best-selling Introducing Geology: A Guide to the World of Rocks, and the award-winning Mountains: The Origins of the Earth's Mountain Systems.