Fluid Envelope of Our Planet

How the Study of Ocean Currents Became a Science

Häftad, Engelska, 2011

Av Eric Mills, Eric L. Mills, Eric L Mills

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Oceans have had a mysterious allure for centuries, inspiring fears, myths, and poetic imaginations. By the early twentieth century, however, scientists began to see oceans as physical phenomena that could be understood through mathematical geophysics. The Fluid Envelope of Our Planet explores the scientific developments from the early middle ages to the twentieth century that illuminated the once murky depths of oceanography.Tracing the transition from descriptive to mathematical analyses of the oceans, Eric Mills examines sailors' and explorers' observations of the oceans, the influence of Scandinavian techniques on German-speaking geographers, and the eventual development of shared quantitative practices and ideas. A detailed and beautifully written account of the history of oceanography, The Fluid Envelope of Our Planet is also an engaging account of the emergence of a scientific discipline.

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum2011-04-23
Mått152 x 226 x 28 mm
Vikt726 g
FormatHäftad
SpråkEngelska
Antal sidor400
FörlagUniversity of Toronto Press
ISBN9781442612709
UtmärkelserWinner of John Lyman Prize in Science and Technology awarded by the North American Society for Oceanic History 2010 (United States)

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CONTENTSAcknowledgments ixIntroduction: The Fluid Envelope of Our Planet 31 The Way of the Sea: Knowledge of Oceanic Circulation before the Nineteenth Century 102 Groping through the Darkness: The Problem of Deep Ocean Circulation 443 Boundaries Built with Numbers: Making the Ocean Mathematical 824 Evangelizing in the Wilderness: Dynamic Oceanography Comes to Canada 1115 'Physische Meereskunde': From Geography to Physical Oceanography in Berlin, 19001935 1376 'Découverte de l'océan': Monaco and the Failure of French Oceanography 1627 Slipping away from Norway: Dynamic Oceanography Comes to the United States 1928 Facing the Atlantic and the Pacific: Dynamic Oceanography Re-emerges in Canada, 19301950 2329 Studying The Oceans and the Oceans 258Appendix: Textbooks of Physical Oceanography 287Notes 291References 347Index 419

‘A page-turning history of physical oceanography ... Mills articulates the development of ideas, but he also delves into the background, motivation, and character of the leading actors in what is a compelling story that unfolds page by page ... To all of you interested in the development of ideas in oceanography: please read this book, you will learn, as I did, and in many places you will turn the pages as if it were a thriller.’ - Gwyn Griffiths Ocean Challenge ‘This book, with its thorough, well-presented research, offers detailed insights into the history of major theories in physical oceanography. The work builds a complete view of the ideas, theories, and conflicts inherent in the birth of a new science … The work is well written and includes an extensive list of reference … Highly recommended.’ - N.W. Hinman Choice ‘It is a fascinating account of what went before and got us to where we are today in our understanding of the circulation of the ocean and all that this means to marine biology, marine chemistry and the many practical applications of what we now know as physical oceanography.’ - Colin Summerhayes, International Journal of Maritime History: vol22:02:10 ‘A finely crafted, thoroughly researched, well written, and rewarding study… Mills has made here a strong and vital contribution to our understanding of the rise of the modern physical environmental sciences.’ - Ronald Doel: ISIS, vol102:01:2011