Surveys the history of the theory that sea levels change worldwide, from the ancient flood myths, through the theories of the 18th and 19th century, to today's complex model of the relationship between sea level and tectonic crustal change. The topic is popular again because of several recent geolog

Over the last ten years, seismic and sequence stratigraphic studies have emphasized the role of worldwide fluctuations in sea level in controlling patterns of sedimentation. Widely recognized cycles of coastal onlap are thought to have been caused by such global changes. This postgraduate and reference text contains contributions from an international team of specialists. The book is based upon an IAS meeting which focused attention on the situation at active plate margins, covering three major themes: the underlying mechanics and rates of relative sea-level change at active plate margins; the interaction of eustatic and tectonic processes at modern margins; recognition of the products in the sedimentary record and possible criteria for distinguishing global eustatic from local tectonic effects. This book is intended for those studying and working in sedimentology, basin analysis, exploration geophysics and petroleum geology.

Geologic Time Scale 2020 (2 volume set) contains contributions from 80+ leading scientists who present syntheses in an easy-to-understand format that includes numerous color charts, maps and photographs. In addition to detailed overviews of chronostratigraphy, evolution, geochemistry, sequence stratigraphy and planetary geology, the GTS2020 volumes have separate chapters on each geologic period with compilations of the history of divisions, the current GSSPs (global boundary stratotypes), detailed bio-geochem-sequence correlation charts, and derivation of the age models. The authors are on the forefront of chronostratigraphic research and initiatives surrounding the creation of an international geologic time scale. The included charts display the most up-to-date, international standard as ratified by the International Commission on Stratigraphy and the International Union of Geological Sciences. As the framework for deciphering the history of our planet Earth, this book is essential for practicing Earth Scientists and academics. - Completely updated geologic time scale - Provides the most detailed integrated geologic time scale available that compiles and synthesize information in one reference - Gives insights on the construction, strengths and limitations of the geological time scale that greatly enhances its function and its utility

The oceans are vast with t,¥o-thirds of our planet being covered by a thick layer of water, the depth of which can be likened to flying above the earth's surface at an altitude of 30,000 feet (9,800 m). Good to play in, essential for life but deadly to breathe, water is important to all organisms on the planet, and the oceans form its major reservoir containing approximately 97 per cent of all freely available surface water. In spite of this obvious importance mankind has still much to learn about this ocean environment. Study of the oceans has grown enormously since the eighteenth- and nineteenth-century voyages of scientific discovery, expanding greatly in the period post 1945. One of the subjects that has blossomed in this period has been the study of the ocean's surface, and in particular the study of sea level and related sea-surface changes. Indeed this topic may even be termed 'popular', as reflected in the growing number of general geo morphology, physical geology and oceanography texts which now give space to the subject.

Sea-level constitutes a critical planetary boundary for geological processes and human life. Sea-level fluctuations during major greenhouse phases are still enigmatic and strongly discussed in terms of changing climate systems. The geological record of the Cretaceous greenhouse period provides a deep-time view on greenhouse-phase Earthsystem processes that facilitates a much better understanding of the causes and consequences of global, geologically short-term, sea-level changes. In particualr, Cretaceous hothouse periods can serve as a laboratory to better understand a near-future greenhouse Earth. This volume presents high-resolution sea-level records from globally distributed sedimentary archives of the Cretaceous involving a large group of scientists from the International Geoscience Programme IGCP 609. Marine to non-marine sedimentary successions were analysed for revised age constraints, the correlation of global palaeoclimate shifts and sea-level changes, tested for climate-driven cyclicities, and correlated within a high-resolution stratigraphic framework of the Geological Timescale. For hothouse periods, the hypothesis of significant global groundwater-related sea-level change, i.e. aquifer-eustasy as a major process, is reviewed and substantiated.

Carbon Isotope Stratigraphy, Volume Five in the Advances in Sequence Stratigraphy series, covers research in stratigraphic disciplines, including the most recent developments in the geosciences. This fully commissioned review publication aims to foster and convey progress in stratigraphy with its inclusion of a variety of topics, including Carbon isotope stratigraphy - principles and applications, Interpreting Phanerozoic d13C patterns as periodic glacio-eustatic sequences, Stable carbon isotopes in archaeological plant remains, Review of the Upper Ediacaran-Lower Cambrian Detrital Series in Central and North Iberia: NE Africa as possible Source Area, Calibrating d13C and d18O chemostratigraphic correlations across Cambrian strata of SW, and much more. - Contains contributions from leading authorities in the field - Informs and updates on all the latest developments in the field - Aims to foster and convey progress in stratigraphy, including geochronology, magnetostratigraphy, lithostratigraphy, event-stratigraphy, and more

This book is the published record of the papers presented at a conference of the Norwegian Petroleum Society (NPF) held in Bergen, Norway, on 3-5 October, 1988. The conference was initially proposed and promoted by the Geology and Geophysics Advisory Committee of the Norwegian Petroleum Society consisting of: A. M. Spencer (Chairman), M. Brink,J. D. Collinson, S. Hanslien, D. M. D.James, T. B. Lund, K. Messel, E. Ormaasen and G. Saeland. The programme and more detailed planning of the conference was carried out by a programme committee consisting of: J. D. Collinson (Chairman), O. Eldholm, E. Holter, D. M. D.James, H. Tykoezinski, D. Worsley and S. M. Aasheim. There were 245 participants at the meeting and 36 papers were presented as talks with a further 9 presented as posters. These proceedings are representative of the range of topics covered. The meeting was characterized by a high level of discussion which has influenced several authors in the final preparation of their written papers. These proceedings have been edi ted on behalf of the Norwegian Petroleum Society by J. D. Collinson with help from H. Tykoezinski. The editor and the organizing committee wish to thank all the referees who reviewed papers and all the authors who responded so fully and promptly to their comments. The NPF is most grateful to the University of Bergen for making available their facilities for the conference.

Developments in Geotectonics, 16: Recent Crustal Movements, 1979 covers the proceedings of the IUGG Interdisciplinary Symposium No. 9, ""Recent Crustal Movements"", held in Canberra, A.C.T., Australia on December 13-14, 1979. The book focuses on instruments and methods for the determination of crustal movements; methods of evaluating crustal movements; and interpretation of the crustal structure and crustal movements with the assistance of other geophysical data. The selection first offers information on the design and error characteristics of a fundamental global geodetic network; state and prospects of development of high-precision geodetic methods for studying crustal movements; and interferometric techniques for measuring horizontal earth crustal movements. The text then takes a look at the vertical crustal movements of the Carpatho-Balkan region and height changes and vertical crustal movements in Western German areas. Discussions focus on vertical movements map, instrumental improvements for the observation of vertical crustal movements, and map of height changes and vertical crustal movements. The text ponders on the episodic block motion and convergence along the Calaveras fault in central California and complete determination of local crustal deformation from geodetic observations. The selection is a valuable source of data for geologists and readers interested in crustal movements.

Sequence stratigraphy has advanced considerably since the early applications of the concepts on seismic data. It attempts to discern the migration of facies re sulting from changes in a combination of factors such as, sea level, tectonics, climate and sediment flux, and integrates it with a meaningful chronostratigraphy. The stratigraphic record is envisioned as a framework of repetitive packages of genetically-related strata, formed in response to the shifting base level, in which the locus of deposition of various sediment types may be anticipated. This attribute is rapidly promoting sequence stratigraphy as an indispensable tool for prediction of facies in exploration and production geology. In hydrocarbon exploration the application of sequence stratigraphy has ranged from anticipating reservoir- and source-rock distribution to predicting carbonate diagenesis, porosity and permeability. The capability to anticipate vertical and lateral distribution of facies and reservoir sands in the basinal, shoreface, incised valley-fill and regressive settings alone has been a great asset for exploration. In frontier areas, where data are often limited to seismic lines, sequence-stratigraphic methodology has helped determine the timing and of types of unconformities and anticipate transgressive- and regressive-prone intervals. In production it is aiding in field development by providing improved source and seal predictions for secondary oil recovery. A recognition of stratigraphic causes of poor recovery through improved understanding of internal stratal architecture can lead to new well recompletions and enhanced exploitation in existing fields. The sequence-stratigraphic discipline is in a state of rapid expansion.