Sediment Routing Systems: The Fate of Sediment from Source to Sink

Description

This cutting-edge summary combines ideas from several sub-disciplines including geology, geomorphology, oceanography and geochemistry to provide an integrated view of Earth surface dynamics in terms of sediment generation, transport and deposition. Introducing a global view of fundamental concepts underpinning source-to-sink studies, it provides an analysis of the component segments which make up sediment routing systems. The functioning of sediment routing systems is illustrated through calculations of denudation and sedimentation as well as the response to external drivers; with the final sections focusing on the stratigraphic record of sediment routing systems. Containing quantitative solutions to a wide range of problems in Earth surface dynamics, it is suitable for graduate students as well as academic and professional researchers; and will enable an understanding of sediment routing systems.

Philip A. Allen is Emeritus Professor of Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London, and a process-oriented Earth scientist with particular interests in the interactions and feedbacks between the solid Earth and its 'exosphere' through the critical interface of the Earth's surface. He has received both the Royal Society's Wolfson Research Merit Award for 2006-2011 and the Lyell Medal from the Geological Society of London in 2007. He served on the Council of the Geological Society 2008-2012 and was Secretary of the Science Committee from 2009 to 2012.

'In this new book, Philip A. Allen has distilled a lifetime of insightful study of the Earth's surface into a wide ranging and rigorous synthesis of planetary sediment processes. Sediment Routing Systems is the first to use the idea of global sediment routing - 'following the sediment' - to provide a framework for synthesis across environments and scales, to integrate the source and sink sides of the routing system, and to link geochemical and particulate fluxes. It manages to do this in a quantitative framework that is carefully formulated, accessible, and perfectly pitched in clarity and detail. Sediment Routing Systems is a landmark and masterpiece; for many Earth scientists, it will be all they need in terms of global sediment dynamics.' Chris Paola, University of Minnesota 'If reading the sedimentary record is the destination, then this book is a brilliant companion for the road, ranging widely from bedload to organic carbon and providing thorough detail on processes and methods at every turn. Philip A. Allen turns the sediment routing system from Pandora's box into a dynamic source to sink cascade.' Niels Hovius, GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences 'Sediment Routing Systems is the first complete, quantitative process-based account of sediment generation, transport and deposition in book format. In true style, ahead of anyone else, Philip A. Allen gives an extremely thorough, comprehensive view of all process aspects of source-to-sink systems. This book combines theoretical with practical aspects and will be an obvious choice as an advanced text book in universities and as a key reference book for professional geologists dealing with energy and Earth systems.' Ole J. Martinsen, Chief Geologist and Vice President, Statoil