Uses myths, legends, images, and ideas from around the world to tell how four basic natural elements have inspired people in the past.

Earth is the only planet known to have fire. The reason is both simple and profound: fire exists because Earth is the only planet to possess life as we know it. Fire is an expression of life on Earth and an index of life’s history. Few processes are as integral, unique, or ancient. Fire on Earth puts fire in its rightful place as an integral part of the study of geology, biology, human history, physics, and global chemistry. Fire is ubiquitous in various forms throughout Earth, and belongs as part of formal inquiries about our world. In recent years fire literature has multiplied exponentially; dedicated journals exist and half a dozen international conferences are held annually. A host of formal sciences, or programs announcing interdisciplinary intentions, are willing to consider fire. Wildfire also appears routinely in media reporting. This full-colour text, containing over 250 illustrations of fire in all contexts, is designed to provide a synthesis of contemporary thinking; bringing together the most powerful concepts and disciplinary voices to examine, in an international setting, why planetary fire exists, how it works, and why it looks the way it does today. Students, lecturers, researchers and professionals interested in the physical, ecological and historical characteristics of fire will find this book, and accompanying web-based material, essential reading for undergraduate and postgraduate courses in all related disciplines, for general interest and for providing an interdisciplinary foundation for further study. A comprehensive approach to the history, behaviour and ecological effects of fire on earth Timely introduction to this important subject, with relevance for global climate change, biodiversity loss and the evolution of human culture. Provides a foundation for the interdisciplinary field of Fire Research Authored by an international team of leading experts in the field Associated website provides additional resources

Forced to interact with the natural elements that invigorate a built structure and co-determine a building's experiential reality during construction, one ought to keep in mind their brute powers - earth's crushing heaviness, the erratic character of water, air's thermo-dynamic cataclysms, or the dangerous benignity of fire. Affective in a direct way, they act as guiding principles in the process of realization: While the earth targets the foundations, the roof shields from water, the openings control the flow of air, and the walls protect from the gleaming sun.

Air, Water, Earth, Fire. All life on earth depends on and survives because of the four elements of nature. Poets and painters alike have captured their allure and our desire for beauty. But how do artists render the essence of atmosphere and light, the sky, fog and mist, and wind and snow, as well as different terrain, mountains, wildfire, and festive fireworks? Now, over 50 contemporary artists and more than 400 paintings reveal the secret in every possible style. Here's what is available to you here: Each topic is analyzed according to its specific properties and uses. You find the resources, methods, and styles most suited to represent each element. Each chapter offers step-by-step exercises and tutorial videos. This is magic and method all wrapped into one volume. The artists here will speak to you and you can learn from their insight and the direction in which they pursue their artistic goals.

Discover the elemental approach to spirituality--keys to self-healing and re-connection to the earth. "When we explore and savor and interact with these elements, we are both remembering a primal connection and forging it anew. Welcome, then, to this travel guide for a journey with a particular purpose: connecting with the elements that are so basic and universal to all of us. We will look at the many ways that different faiths have danced with earth, water, fire, and air throughout history, coming to a deeper appreciation of each way's uniqueness and a greater respect for one another's paths, at the same time remembering the commonality of our human beginnings." --from the Preface The root of human spirituality is grounded in four elements--earth, water, fire and air. They are common to all people and almost every spiritual path; they are the keys to our understanding of Spirit; and they can help you achieve personal fulfillment and re-connection with others. This inspiring guidebook explains the role of the elements in different faith traditions and how they've been incorporated into religious practices and ceremonies. You will be encouraged to explore your own spiritual connection to the elements through engaging activities, enlightening meditations and evocative poems and prayers. Earth, Water, Fire & Air is a celebration of how all people are connected by the elements. You will come away with a deeper relationship to others, your own spirit, and this sacred planet. You can't help but be drawn into the elemental approach to spirituality detailed in these pages. Identifying the four basic elements as humanity's first ways of knowing Spirit and reminding us of their value for spiritual nourishment, Earth, Water, Fire & Air reveals our human interconnectedness and offers a fascinating look at element-based symbols, traditions and ceremonies. Explore the spiritual traditions that have incorporated the elements into their practices, including: Buddhism * Christianity * Earth-honoring paths * Hinduism * Islam * Judaism Creative activity suggestions serve to enrich our spiritual relationship with each element--both individually and in community with others--and to help us discover how deeply nourishing it can be to live in an elemental way.

This stunning collection of photographs from Bernhard Edmaier showcases the world?s most dramatic and beautiful volcanic landscapes. Divided into five chapters by tectonic plate region, this book includes geothermal regions in Europe, the Americas, Africa, New Zealand, the Indian Ocean and the Caribbean; famous volcanoes such as Mount St. Helens in the USA, Etna in Italy, Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and Krakatoa in Indonesia are just a few of the sites highlighted. Earth on Fire features images of a wide variety of phenomena ? from hot flowing lava and towering columns of smoke and ash to lakes, islands and mountain ranges ? that are the result of volcanic activity, accompanied by clear, accessible texts explaining key details and events.

Fire plays a key role in Earth system processes. Wildfires influence the carbon cycle and the nutrient balance of our planet, and may even play a role in regulating the oxygen content of our atmosphere. The evolutionary history of plants has been intimately tied to fire and this in part explains the distribution of our ecosystems and their ability to withstand the effects of natural fires today. Fire Phenomena and the Earth System brings together the various subdisciplines within fire science to provide a synthesis of our understanding of the role of wildfire in the Earth system. The book shows how knowledge of fire phenomena and the nature of combustion of natural fuels can be used to understand modern wildfires, interpret fire events in the geological record and to understand the role of fire in a variety of Earth system processes. By bringing together chapters written by leading international researchers from a range of geological, environmental, chemical and engineering disciplines, the book will stimulate the exchange of ideas and knowledge across these subject areas. Fire Phenomena and the Earth System provides a truly interdisciplinary guide that can inform us about Earth’s past, present and beyond. Readership: Advanced students and researchers across a wide range of earth, environmental and life sciences, including biogeochemistry, paleoclimatology, atmospheric science, palaeontology and paleoecology, combustion science, ecology and forestry.

'Proper galaxy-spanning space opera' Iain M. Banks on Seeds of Earth The first intelligent species to encounter mankind attacked without warning. Merciless. Relentless. Unstoppable. With little hope of halting the invasion, Earth's last roll of the dice was to dispatch three colony ships, seeds of Earth, to different parts of the galaxy. The human race would live on . . . somewhere. 150 years later, the planet Darien hosts a thriving human settlement, which enjoys a peaceful relationship with an indigenous race, the scholarly Uvovo. But there are secrets buried on Darien's forest moon. Secrets that go back to an apocalyptic battle fought between ancient races at the dawn of galactic civilisation. Unknown to its colonists Darien is about to become the focus of an intergalactic power struggle, where the true stakes are beyond their comprehension. And what choices will the Uvovo make when their true nature is revealed and the skies grow dark with the enemy? For more epic space opera action from Michael Cobley, check out: Humanity's Fire Trilogy: Seeds of Earth The Orphaned Worlds The Ascendant Stars Standalone novels in the Humanity's Fire universe: Ancestral Machines Splintered Suns Also look out for Cobley's epic fantasy trilogy, Shadowkings!

Grades 26 Get your students singing and playing with this suite of six songs featuring unison, two-part and three-part singing, speech ostinati, instrumental accompaniments, poetry, interpretive signing, recorder playing, and movement that celebrates the elements of nature. Present the entire suite in your next performance, or use each song on its own.