Principles of Rock Deformation

Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Science, Earth Sciences, Geology
Cover of the book Principles of Rock Deformation by A. Nicolas, Springer Netherlands
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: A. Nicolas ISBN: 9789400937437
Publisher: Springer Netherlands Publication: December 6, 2012
Imprint: Springer Language: English
Author: A. Nicolas
ISBN: 9789400937437
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
Publication: December 6, 2012
Imprint: Springer
Language: English

Physicists attempt to reduce natural phenomena to their essential dimensions by means of simplification and approximation and to account for them by defining natural laws. Paradoxically, whilst there is a critical need in geology to reduce the overwhelming field information to its essentials, it often re­ mains in an over-descriptive state. This prudent attitude of geologists is dictated by the nature of the subjects being consi­ dered, as it is often difficult to derive the significant parame­ ters from the raw data. It also follows from the way that geolo­ gical work is carried out. Geologists proceed, as in a police investigation, by trying to reconstruct past conditions and events from an analysis of the features preserved in rocks. In physics all knowledge is based on experiment but in the Earth Sciences experimental evidence is of very limited scope and is difficult to interpret. The geologist's cautious approach in accepting evidence gained by modelling and quantification is sometimes questionable when it is taken too far. It shuts out potentially fruitful lines of advance; for instance when refu­ sing order of magnitude calculations, it risks being drowned in anthropomorphic speculation. Happily nowadays, many more studies tend to separate and order the significant facts and are carried out with numerical constraints, which although they are approxi­ mate in nature, limit the range of hypotheses and thus give rise to new models.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Physicists attempt to reduce natural phenomena to their essential dimensions by means of simplification and approximation and to account for them by defining natural laws. Paradoxically, whilst there is a critical need in geology to reduce the overwhelming field information to its essentials, it often re­ mains in an over-descriptive state. This prudent attitude of geologists is dictated by the nature of the subjects being consi­ dered, as it is often difficult to derive the significant parame­ ters from the raw data. It also follows from the way that geolo­ gical work is carried out. Geologists proceed, as in a police investigation, by trying to reconstruct past conditions and events from an analysis of the features preserved in rocks. In physics all knowledge is based on experiment but in the Earth Sciences experimental evidence is of very limited scope and is difficult to interpret. The geologist's cautious approach in accepting evidence gained by modelling and quantification is sometimes questionable when it is taken too far. It shuts out potentially fruitful lines of advance; for instance when refu­ sing order of magnitude calculations, it risks being drowned in anthropomorphic speculation. Happily nowadays, many more studies tend to separate and order the significant facts and are carried out with numerical constraints, which although they are approxi­ mate in nature, limit the range of hypotheses and thus give rise to new models.

More books from Springer Netherlands

Cover of the book Organizations and Strategies in Astronomy by A. Nicolas
Cover of the book 60-GHz CMOS Phase-Locked Loops by A. Nicolas
Cover of the book Teaching Fractions through Situations: A Fundamental Experiment by A. Nicolas
Cover of the book Schopenhauer’s Broken World-View by A. Nicolas
Cover of the book Moral Theory and Moral Judgments in Medical Ethics by A. Nicolas
Cover of the book Mechanisms of Oncogenesis by A. Nicolas
Cover of the book Flourishing Children by A. Nicolas
Cover of the book Groups, Rules and Legal Practice by A. Nicolas
Cover of the book Plant Geography of Chile by A. Nicolas
Cover of the book Sustainability, Local Democracy and the Future: The Swedish Model by A. Nicolas
Cover of the book Controlling Automated Manufacturing Systems by A. Nicolas
Cover of the book On Truth by A. Nicolas
Cover of the book Urban Planning as a Trading Zone by A. Nicolas
Cover of the book Generative Mental Processes and Cognitive Resources by A. Nicolas
Cover of the book Climatic Changes on a Yearly to Millennial Basis by A. Nicolas
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy