{"product_id":"9783319861104","title":"Modern Approaches in Solid Earth Sciences","description":"\u003ch1\u003eModern Approaches in Solid Earth Sciences\u003c\/h1\u003e \u003ch2\u003eGlikson, Andrew Yoram\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis book presents projections and blueprints of the future geologic period, climate and biosphere, based on our current understanding of the Earth’s history and recent developments in the atmosphere-ocean-cryosphere system.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBy the second decade of the 21st century it has become clear that, rather than channel its efforts into protecting its planetary biosphere and living species, \u003ci\u003eHomo\u003c\/i\u003e \u003ci\u003esapiens \u003c\/i\u003econtinues to sink its remaining resources into weapons, including nuclear missiles – thus increasing the risk of intentional or accidental spread of radioactive nuclides on land, oceans and atmosphere.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWith time, possibility becomes probability, and probability becomes certainty ‒ heralding a transition from the \u003ci\u003eAnthropocene\u003c\/i\u003e to a new geological period, named here as \u003ci\u003ePlutocene\u003c\/i\u003e after the element Plutonium. During the \u003ci\u003ePlutocene\u003c\/i\u003e the biosphere is dominated by elevated temperatures, analogous to the \u003ci\u003ePliocene\u003c\/i\u003e (2.6 – 5.3 Ma ago) or the \u003ci\u003eMiocene\u003c\/i\u003e (5.3 - 23 Ma ago) when mean global temperatures were 2 to 4 degrees Celsius warmer and sea levels 20 to 40 meters higher than pre-industrial levels. High levels of radioactivity will persist for at least 20,000 years and acid oceans will severely limit biological activity to the hardiest species. Atmospheric CO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c\/sub\u003e higher than 500 ppm with residence time on the order of thousands of years will delay the subsequent glacial cycle.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThese factors restrict comparisons of the \u003ci\u003ePlutocene \u003c\/i\u003ewith biosphere conditions during the \u003ci\u003eMiocene\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003ePliocene\u003c\/i\u003e periods, partly because the flora and fauna evolved more gradually during these periods, unlike the abrupt climate shift of state during the second half of the 20\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e century and first part of the 21\u003csup\u003est\u003c\/sup\u003e century. Following a long lull in biological activity dominated by radiation-resistant organisms, especially Arthropods, a resumption of glacial cycles and decline in radioactivity will lead to the re-emergence of descendants of burrowing mammals and other genera. Depending on the intensity of radioactive pollution, hunter-gatherer humans may survive in northern latitudes, relatively cold high-altitude mountain valleys and elevated volcanic islands. In some areas subsistence farming may be possible. A new cycle will commence.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch3\u003eDetails\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cp\u003ePublished by: Springer\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePublication Date: 2018-08-12\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFormat: Paperback\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eISBN-13: 9783319861104\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDOI: 10.1007\/978-3-319-57237-6\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDimensions: 235cm x155cm\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePages: 154\u003c\/p\u003e ","brand":"Springer International Publishing","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45382763675788,"sku":"9783319861104","price":116.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0710\/9545\/1788\/files\/9783319861104.jpg?v=1776457589","url":"https:\/\/fh90cf-fv.myshopify.com\/products\/9783319861104","provider":"Late Knight Books and Services, LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}