Overview

The world's mid-ocean ridges form a single, connected global ridge system that is part of every ocean, and is the longest mountain range in the world. Geologically active, mid-ocean ridges are key sites of tectonic movement, intimately involved in seafloor spreading. This coursebook presents a multidisciplinary approach to the science of mid-ocean ridges – essential for a complete understanding of global tectonics and geodynamics. Designed for graduate and advanced undergraduate students, it will also provide a valuable reference for professionals in relevant fields. Background chapters provide a historical introduction and an overview of research techniques, with succeeding chapters covering the structure of the lithosphere and crust, and volcanic, tectonic and hydrothermal processes. A summary and synthesis chapter recaps essential points to consolidate new learning. Accessible to students and professionals working in marine geology, plate tectonics, geophysics, geodynamics, volcanism and oceanography, this is the ideal introduction to a key global phenomenon.

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9781139084260

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Reviews

'This volume provides a comprehensive, up-to-date and authoritative account, extensively illustrated and referenced, of the geology, the morphology, the tectonics and the chemistry of the ridges, relating these to the underlying mantle movements. It also describes in detail the techniques used in these studies. Professor Searle has been at the forefront of research on the mid-ocean ridges throughout his career, and has produced an ideal textbook both for students and those currently researching the geology of the ocean floor.' Sir Anthony Laughton, FRS, former Director, Institute of Oceanographic Sciences, UK 'Professor Searle has done a superb job of summarizing and analyzing the history of, and the latest insights into, mid-ocean ridges, ranging from ultra-slow to fast spreading rates and including the tectonics, geophysics, geochemistry, volcanism and hydrothermal activity of this 'longest mountain range in the world'. This is an essential volume for any student or researcher studying mid-ocean ridges, both those in the Earth sciences and those with backgrounds in marine biology, chemistry oceanography, physical oceanography and other related fields.' Ken C. Macdonald, Emeritus Professor of Marine Geophysics, University of California, Santa Barbara 'This well-written, technical work is useful for scientists, researchers, and advanced students interested in an up-to-date understanding of the origin and evolution of mid-ocean ridges.' P. R. Pinet, Choice

'This volume provides a comprehensive, up-to-date and authoritative account, extensively illustrated and referenced, of the geology, the morphology, the tectonics and the chemistry of the ridges, relating these to the underlying mantle movements. It also describes in detail the techniques used in these studies. Professor Searle has been at the forefront of research on the mid-ocean ridges throughout his career, and has produced an ideal textbook both for students and those currently researching the geology of the ocean floor.' Sir Anthony Laughton, FRS, former Director, Institute of Oceanographic Sciences, UK 'Professor Searle has done a superb job of summarizing and analyzing the history of, and the latest insights into, mid-ocean ridges, ranging from ultra-slow to fast spreading rates and including the tectonics, geophysics, geochemistry, volcanism and hydrothermal activity of this 'longest mountain range in the world'. This is an essential volume for any student or researcher studying mid-ocean ridges, both those in the Earth sciences and those with backgrounds in marine biology, chemistry oceanography, physical oceanography and other related fields.' Ken C. Macdonald, Emeritus Professor of Marine Geophysics, University of California, Santa Barbara 'This well-written, technical work is useful for scientists, researchers, and advanced students interested in an up-to-date understanding of the origin and evolution of mid-ocean ridges.' P. R. Pinet, Choice ' ... a must-read for anybody interested, either scientifically or academically, in the fascinating underwater world of mid-ocean ridges.' Geologos

Author Information

Roger Searle is Emeritus Professor of Geophysics at Durham University. He has spent forty years studying mid-ocean ridges, and was a pioneer in the use of side-scan sonar to study their geodynamic, tectonic and volcanic processes. In his research he also uses topographic analysis and gravity and magnetic modelling to understand ridge structures. He was awarded the Royal Astronomical Society's Price Medal in 2011 and elected a Fellow of the American Geophysical Union in 2012. Searle has worked in many of the world's major oceanographic institutions, participated in thirty-seven research cruises and led eighteen. He was first full chairman of the international research organisation InterRidge, and has served on national and international committees including chairing the International Ocean Drilling Program's Site Survey Panel.

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