This excellent encyclopedia of the earth sciences stresses human interaction with all environments on and surrounding the earth....The articles are extremely well-written so that in most cases the educated layperson as well as the researcher are accommodated. By far the most useful aspect of the set is the stressing of human environmental involvement with all geologic processes from pure geology to the atmosphere and space....The publisher has done great justice...by having a 170-page double column index, covering in detail all subjects discussed within the articles....The illustrations are outstanding, including a few color plates and several thousand black and white photographs, maps, graphs, charts, and tables...It is a highly recommended set for academic institutions with earth science programs and for large public libraries. --BOOKLIST/REFERENCE BOOKS BULLETIN, March 15, 1992 This encyclopedia is a series of more than 230 articles on wide-ranging topics in earth system science, indexed and cross-referenced. It gives clear, usable descriptions of each topic in a set format, each with its own illustrations, bibliography, and glossary. A comprehensive subject and relational index in the last volume is essential for navigation of the encyclopedia. --GAIAN SCIENCE, February-April Should go down in the annals of technical literature as an environmental classic. With mounting concerns on the environment, the Encyclopedia of Earth System Science brings us back to the basics of the earth sciences...Unprecedented reference work...The list of contributors is international in scope and represents a distinguished assembly of environmental intellect....The Encyclopedia of Earth System Science brings to the non-research institution a vast expertise in the earth sciences, where it can truly serve as a technical enlightenment....Government agency libraries and private libraries serving lawyers, policy makers, planners, and corporate executives, will benefit from this work. Public libraries would serve the general reader, local elected officials, and grassroots activists well providing such a comprehensive technical treatment of the environment and the intricacies and delicacies of the processes that control the earth's systems. --ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT DIVISION OF THE SPECIAL LIBRARIES ASSOCIATION This encyclopedia is the first to comprehensively cover, in one place, all of the earth sciences--including atmospheric science, biochemistry, climatology, ecology, geology, geophysics, glaciology, hydrology, meteorology, mineralogy, oceanography, petrology, and numerous other fields. It treats the earth as a system of interactive processes and describes how these processes affect and are affected by each other. The four-volume set provides a broad base of knowledge. International experts have written in-depth articles, with extensive cross-referencing to stress the interconnection between all earth processes. The glossaries, concise subject definitions, brief outlines, and recent bibliographies that are found in each article also provide the reader with quick access to each topic. --BULLETIN AMERICAN METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY It is a very well-written manuscript, concise and precise. --T.E. Unny, University of Waterloo, Canada Outstanding work. --S. Serrano, University of Kentucky This is an excellent review. --Joseph R. Curray, University of California, San Diego This article is an accurate and complete coverage of the topic with an emphasis on major elements for clarity and conciseness. --Josef Cihlar, Canada Center for Remote Sensing This is a well-written review, a pleasure to read. The coverage is complete, up-to-date, and balanced. --David Dunlop, University of Toronto, Canada Excellent summary! --D.J. Hofman, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration As he always does, James Ward has produced a well-written and informative document that is both well thought-out and completely up to date. --H.B. Hynes, University of Waterloo, Canada Dr. Skaar has brought clarity to this subject through his text and other publications. He has trained many professionals and instilled in them the sense of doing science right. He is a master. He is the appropriate person to write this chapter for your encyclopedia. The material is well-organized, well-presented, and should serve the audience of this publication well. --Jay A. Johnson, University of Washington This is an extraordinarily fine perspective paper--one that will be widely cited. A superb treatment of a complex phenomenon. --Alfred Fischer, Department of Geology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles This is a first rate review. It covers the subject well and is balanced and responsible and at the same time fair to all involved. --Bruce D. Marsh, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland Probably the clearest account of ideas at this level that I have ever read. --T. walters, U.S. Geological Survey, Tacoma, Washington A very fine and concise review of arcs. --Marc Defant, University of Southern Florida
