The Cretaceous World

The rich geological record of the Cretaceous Period reveals a world that experienced extreme climatic warmth and significantly higher global sea levels than today. It therefore provides a natural case study of the Earth in ‘greenhouse’ climatic mode, which this interdisciplinary textbook analyses from the perspective of Earth System Science. After surveying the evidence for conditions on the Cretaceous Earth, this book explores the interactions between the physical, chemical and biological processes, within the Earth and at its surface. These processes control the prevailing environmental conditions on Earth and the book highlights the major differences between the Cretaceous and the present world. Finally, the mass extinction that terminated the period, and its possible causes, are investigated. Designed for undergraduate and graduate courses, this textbook features chapter summaries, focus boxes, and questions and answers throughout the text. The book is supported by a website hosting sample pages, selected illustrations, and worked exercises.

Spis treści:
Preface
Part I. Survey of the Cretaceous World
1. Introduction to the Cretaceous
2. The mobile palaeogeographical framework
3. Fluctuating sea-level
4. Changing climate and biota
5. Changing climate and biota - the marine record
Part II. The Workings of the Cretaceous World
6. Biogeochemical cycles
7. Volcanic inputs
8. The operation of major geological carbon sinks
9. The lost world rediscovered
Part III. The End of an Era
10. The end-Cretaceous mass extinction
11. Seeking an explanation
12. The smoking gun
13. The effects of the Chicxulub impact
Acknowledgements
References
Index.