The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Earth Sciences [Paperback]

Ailsa Allaby (Editor), Michael Allaby (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 30, 1991 | Series: Dictionary

Containing more than 6,000 entries, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Earth Sciences covers all of the earth sciences, and is the most detailed, authoritative, and up-to-date dictionary of its kind. It has been compiled with the help of over 30 specialist contributors and advisers, and its scope is worldwide. The dictionary covers terms from climatology, economic geology, geochemistry, mineralogy, oceanography, palaeontology, petrology, and volcanology, amongst many other scientific disciplines. It also contains brief biographical notes about some of the most important figures in the history of the earth sciences. Because it gives equal weight to all the earth sciences, the dictionary will be of particular help to students, including those on interdisciplinary courses who study one or more of the earth sciences on their syllabus. It will also be invaluable to non-scientists who wish to know the meaning of such technical terms as `aa', `epeirogenesis', `mother cloud', `protostar', `rip-rap', `vug', and ` Zosterophyllum' . This book is intended for students and teachers of the earth sciences, but also of interdisciplinary courses such as environmental sciences. Also non-scientists interested in the environment or other earth science disciplines (such as members of local zoological societies).

Editorial Reviews

Review

`authoritative and up-to-date definitions...The sort of book that comes along once in a blue moon - and, yes, even that is defined.' Sheffield Telegraph

'This dictionary can really claim to offer comprehensive coverage of the earth sciences ... advanced ... and comprehensive ... The book will be a useful addition to reference libraries.' Times Educational Supplement

'the definitive source of words connected with the environment in almost all its meanings ... an extremely good educational source ... The good thing about it is that the more it is used, the more useful it becomes.' Ronnie Hoyle, Western Morning News

`This is an excellent encyclopaedic dictionary covering all the earth sciences... It will be paricularly useful to the geology student and the general reader and it should find a place in every general library' Aslib Book List

'This an essential vade mecum of up-to-the-minute information for those working in the fields concerned with humanity's struggle for survival.' The Cornish Banner

`admirable' Geology Today

'This dictionary is ... a mine of information and I believe that it will serve well both students and practitioners.' John H. McD. Whitaker, Nature

'the most detailed, authoritative, and up-to-date dictionary of its kind ... its scope is worldwide'British Geologist

'contains a wealth of information within its 410 pages' D.J. Batten, University of Wales, Cretaceous Research

'The liberal cross-referencing is most useful and permits a rapid exploration of an unfamiliar subject. It is this facility that provides the main use for the volume; most useful to the non-specialist, serious students and others with intermittent interests in the subjects covered. The dictionary is authoritative and reasonably comprehensive. At #20 for a well-produced hard back copy it is good value.' C. Downie, Geography, Vol. 76

About the Author

Ailsa Allaby has most recently contributed to The Oxford Dictionary of Natural History, The Oxford Illustrated Encyclopedia: The Natural World, and A Dictionary of the Environment.
Michael Allaby has written widely on science and the environment. He is the General Editor of The Oxford Dictionary of Natural History and A Dictionary of the Environment and the author of many books, among them Conservations at Home: A Practical Handbook, Ecology Facts, and Guide to Gaia.

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (May 30, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0192861255
• ISBN-13: 978-0192861252
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,818,597 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Irreplaceable!, October 25, 2000

By 

flor alaranjada "orangeblossom9" (Philippines) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Earth Sciences (Paperback)

I bought a copy of this dictionary when I was an undergraduate student of Geology, and I found it a very useful reference for almost all of my major subjects. Now that I'm a graduate student and a member of the faculty, I still find it handy when making lectures or doing my own course work. Since it is almost 10 years since it was published, I've been trying to decide whether I should replace it with a newer version, but none of the dictionaries I've seen can compare with the detail and thoroughness of this book. A very good buy.

5.0 out of 5 stars Very good book, March 30, 2010

By 

Manuela Morales (Germany) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Earth Sciences (Hardcover)

The book arrive quite fast and in very good conditions, a little bit old but good preserved.