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Geology of Asia

 

 

Books about Asian Geology

Aspects of the Tectonic Evolution of China
The subject of this Special Publication is one of the most interesting in global geoscience, the tectonic evolution of China. The assemblage of terranes that underlie this part of the world provides outstanding opportunities to elucidate global processes, and many of the factors that shape the Earth?s lithosphere are best exemplified by the geology of China and immediately adjacent areas. In addition, there are geological features that are particular and unique to the region. Some have been the focus of recent attention and have attracted international interest because of their global importance. This volume provides accounts of up-to-date research by Chinese and international geological teams on key aspects of the tectonic evolution of China and surrounding areas. The papers describe the formation of the geological terranes that make up this part of East Asia, place constraints on plate tectonic models for their assembly, and provide accounts of unique geological features of the subcontinent.
Mesozoic Sub-Continental Lithospheric Thinning under Eastern Asia
The North China craton is the only known place where an Archaean craton with a thick tectospheric root lost half of that root in younger tectonism by processes such as delamination, convection, hydration-weakening, compositional change or some other mechanism. In this volume, authors provide data constraining the geometry and timing of root loss, aimed at understanding why and how continental roots are lost in general. Modelling how often this process may have occurred in the geological past, and how much lithospheric material has been recycled to the convecting mantle through this mechanism, could drastically change our current understanding of crustal growth rates and processes. Possible triggering mechanisms for root loss include collision of the South China (Yangtze) and North China cratons in the Triassic, the India-Asia collision, closure of the Solonker and Monhgol-Okhotsk oceans, Mesozoic subduction of the Pacific Plate beneath eastern China, impingement of mantle plumes, mantle hydration from long-term subduction and several rifting events. In this volume, we link studies of crustal tectonics with investigations aimed at determining the nature of and timing of the formation and loss of the root, in order to better-understand mechanisms of continental root formation, evolution and recycling/removal.
South-East Asian Oil, Gas, Coal and Mineral Deposits
This companion volume to the author's Geological Evolution of South East Asia (1989) is the first and only book to give an analysis of the oil, gas, and mineral deposits of Southeast Asia, including its economic geology. The stratigraphy, structure, hydrocarbon and coal deposits of the major Tertiary basins are described, and regional similarities and differences are analyzed. Among the areas featured are the copper and gold-silver deposits of the Philippines and Indonesia; the Sundaland peninsular core, considered the foremost source of tungsten and tin; and the declining tin mines of Malaysia and Thailand. This comprehensive survey will interest both the economic geologist and researcher of oil and mineral deposits.
Encyclopedia of European and Asian Regional Geology
This unique volume, organized alphabetically by country, provides a current overview of the general geology of Europe and Asia, excluding the Arab countries and Israel. Articles primarily contain information about the stratigraphy, structure, tectonics and natural resources of each country, as well as a history of geological exploration and other issues unique to each country. Additional articles cover international subjects such as Europe, Asia, the Alps, Caucasus, Himalayas and Tien Shan mountains. Many articles are new syntheses, e.g. those on Iceland, Burma and the Philippines; some are first-time descriptions in English, e.g. those on Estonia, Moldova, Bosnia and Turkmenistan; others are published for the first time ever in any language e.g. those articles on Italy, Korea and Vietnam. Each entry is typically written by a native geologist or a geologist with extensive experience in the region, and entries include representative figures illustrating main geologic features and a selected bibliography of relevant publications generally accessible in libraries. Articles are written assuming some general geological background. The Encyclopedia will serve as a valuable source book for libraries, and will be a key reference for academic and professional personnel in industrial exploration firms and governmental agencies, as well as for university students.
Cretaceous Environments of Asia
This book presents a synthesis of the principal environmental characteristics of the Cretaceous in East and South Asia. The research was accomplished under IGCP project 350, which deals with the biological, climatological and physical environments of this region during the Cretaceous. This synthesis discusses aspects of stratigraphy, sedimentology, paleontology, geochemistry, tectonics, petrology, mineralogy, and geophysics. The research results are summarised by country, and include Far East Russia, Mongolia, eastern China, Korea, Japan, Philippines, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, and India. Although these countries do not encompass the entire region, this coverage provides an excellent perspective of the evolution of the region during the Cretaceous. The records incorporated in this book present a wealth of marine and nonmarine data on climate, biotic diversity, circulation and chemistry of the ocean as well as fundamental plume tectonism. The latter appears to have caused much of the environmental change in this broad region, including both an enhanced greenhouse effect and high sea levels.
Tectonics, Magmatism and Metallogeny of Mongolia
This volume provides the first systematic description of the most important geological structures of Mongolia and discusses the main features of these structures and their interactions. The main characteristics of magmatism are described for each stage of tectonic development and the evolution of magmatism is considered with reference to lithosphere development. Mongolia is a key region of the world and this volume provides a primary source of reference for postgraduates and researchers.
Geological Formation Names of China (1866-2000)
Geological Formation Names of China (1866—2000) is the only catalogue on stratigraphic nomenclature for China in the world to keep two writing types (Wade-Giles Romanization and Chinese Phonetic Alphabet) so as to provide convenience for domestic and overseas readers. The catalogue is intended for specialists and graduates in Geosciences and Stratigraphy. Shouxin Zhang (1927 —2006) was stratigrapher and research professor at the Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Geology of North-West Borneo: Sarawak, Brunei and Sabah
The book is a comprehensive compilation of all aspects of the geology of Northwest Borneo (Sarawak, Brunei and Sabah) and the contiguous South China and Sulu Seas. The sedimentary formations are described, their palaeontology tabulated and ages discussed. Stratigraphic charts illustrate their relationships across the whole region. Detailed geological maps of selected areas are accompanied by cross sections based on outcrop patterns and drilling and seismic data offshore. Palaeocurrent maps are presented and the palaeogeography for different ages described and sedimentary provenance discussed. Descriptions of the ophiolite sequences, volcanic and plutonic rocks are accompanied by tables of selected chemical analyses and geochemical plots and their tectonic significance discussed. All radiometric data are tabulated and discussed. Regional structures and the predominantly Tertiary tectonics are described. In Sarawak the mountains are constructed of Upper Cretaceous to Lower Eocene greenschist facies shaly turbiditic Rajang Group, uplifted before the end of the Eocene. In Sabah the Western Cordillera is constructed of Eocene to Lower Miocene sandy turbidite uplifted in the Late Miocene and Pliocene. Miocene intrusion of Mount Kinabalu and uplift of the Cordillera is related to collision at the Northwest Borneo Trough. Gold, antimony, mercury and copper deposits are described and the tectonic setting of oil and gas deposits discussed.

The Tectonic and Climatic Evolution of the Arabian Sea Region
Over long periods of time the tectonic evolution of the solid Earth has been recognized as the major control on the development of the global climate system. Tectonic activity acts in one of two different ways to influence regional and global climate: (i) through the opening and closing of oceanic gateways and its effect on the circulation patterns in the global ocean: (ii) through the growth and erosion of orogenic belts, resulting in changes in oceanic chemistry and disruption of atmospheric circulation. The Arabian Sea region has several features that make it the best area globally to examine sold Earth-climatic interactions. Indeed, it can be regarded as the global type area for studies of climate and palaeoceanographic responses to tectonic activity, most notably in the context of the South Asian monsoon and its relationship to the growth of high topography in the adjacent Himalayas and Tibet. The Tectonic and Climatic Evolution of the Arabian Sea Region brings together a collection of recent studies on the area from a wide group of international contributors. The papers range from high resolution, Holocene palaeoceanography studies of the Pakistan margin to regional tectonic reconstructions of the ocean basin and surrounding margins throughout the Cenozoic.

The Geology of Thailand
This is the first volume in the English language to cover the entire range of the geology of Thailand since the joint Thai-US account by Brown et al. exactly 60 years ago. Over this period there has been a phenomenal growth in interest in this core area of SE Asia. This has been led by geologists in Thailand, but with important and highly significant input from geologists based elsewhere in Asia and in Europe, Australasia and North America. Some of that research was prompted by commercial considerations, since Thailand has important energy and mineral resources, while other research has sought to understand better the stratigraphic and structural history, including the plate-tectonic story which Thailands rocks reveal. This new volume seeks to bring together all of this knowledge into a single accessible book; it is the work of an international team drawn from Thailand, Japan, Australia, USA, Canada, Germany and the UK.
Cratons and Fold Belts of India
Cratons and Fold Belts of India, is a unique attempt at presenting geological characteristics and evolution of the fold belts and the cratonic areas of the Indian shield. The author has evaluated the different evolutionary models for each fold belt in light of all the currently available geological and geochronological informations that are clearly listed. Shortcomings, if any, of each model are stated and a viable geodynamic model is presented for each fold belt. The book is self-contained – it includes an introduction to the processes of mountain building, especially plate tectonics theory with its application to the evolution of the Himalaya as an illustrative example – so that the reader can better appreciate the novel approach to the evolution of Proterozoic fold belts. The author eschews a detailed account of the fold belts for a clear description of all the concepts that go into building models. It is primarily written for graduate students, teachers and for those geoscientists who aspire to know all about the Indian shield.