New Tradition Enhances Geology Library Collection

May 18, 2007
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The Jackson School has created a new tradition, recognizing promotions by adding to the Walter Library a book, chosen by a newly promoted faculty member or research scientist, with a name plate in their honor as a lasting contribution to future scholarship. For 2007, each individual receiving a promotion effective during the 2006-07 academic year was invited to select a book. The individuals are listed below along with their books and explanations.

• James Connelly
  Promoted from Associate Professor to Professor
• Craig Fulthorpe
  Promoted from Research Scientist to Senior Research Scientist
• John (Jack) Holt
  Promoted from Research Associate to Research Scientist
• Susan Hovorka
  Promoted from research Scientist to Senior Research Scientist

James Connelly

Modern Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry
by I.T. Platzner

Stable and radiogenically-produced isotopes underpin much of our understanding of Earth and planetary geology—this includes both the tracing of small- and large-scale geochemical systems and geochronology.

At the heart of this field lies the basic ability to make reproducible, accurate and precise measurements of a diverse suite of elements by a wide range of mass spectrometric methods. Important discoveries will be made by those who best understand and push the limits of the analytical methods available—this requires a thorough knowledge of basic and advanced mass spectrometry as well as the different approaches to data reduction and error treatments. The book Modern Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry by I.T. Platzner represents a comprehensive review of all available mass spectrometric methods that will serve both new and old students of isotope geochemistry.

Craig Fulthorpe

The Origin of Species and The Voyage of the Beagle
by Charles Darwin
with an introduction by Richard Dawkins

Charles Darwin is best known today as a naturalist and, in particular, for his work on the origin of species, but he was also an expert geologist. I was impressed by this when I first read “The Voyage of the Beagle,” an account of his five-year expedition around the world aboard HMS Beagle.

He was an outstanding observer and, recognizing the limits of contemporary knowledge, was cautious about advancing theories that would not stand the test of time. The answers to many of the questions he raised (for example, about the origin of the Andes and the significance of earthquakes) had to await the advent of plate tectonics. However, it is fascinating to see how close he was able to come to modern ideas on topics ranging from the significance of accommodation space to the effects of climate change on the distribution of Inca ruins.

Jack Holt

The Ninth Circle: A Memoir of Life and Death in Antarctica, 1960-1962
by C. Behrendt
Albuquerque : University of New Mexico Press, 2005

I believe it is important to put my own work in the proper context of those who came before me, since I am just one element of a long and slow scientific process. This book provides a unique insight into the experience of scientific discovery in Antarctica soon after the International Geophysical Year (1957-58).

While the IGY itself started a new era of Antarctic science, it has been the dedicated work of people such as the author, John Behrendt, over many decades that has brought about our current understanding of this unique piece of Earth. The early aircraft-based geophysical work he describes helped set the stage for UTIG's airborne studies which began in the early 90's and my own role in these efforts starting in 1998. This was also an era of pure discovery in Antarctica, and that remains an important motivating factor for my own work. The experience of Antarctic fieldwork has certainly changed in many ways, but in some ways it is nearly the same. This book provides an important window into our scientific heritage and I think that others will find it interesting.

Sue Hovorka

Carbon Capture and Sequestration
by Elizabeth Wilson, from the University of Minnesota, and David Gerard, from Carnegie Melon

Reduction of emissions of carbon to the atmosphere while increasing available energy is one of the grand problems of the 21st century. Students at the Jackson School of Geosciences need to be trained to work in multidisciplinary fields such as carbon emissions reduction, and this book will provide a data source for entry into this type of study.

How do we increase quality of life for humans, which includes both human-engineered (for example coal to electricity) and ecosystem (for example avoidance of extreme rates of change and preservation of ecosystem services) elements? This book examines how geotechnical assessments such as those conducted at the Jackson School interact with political and policy decisions.

For more information about the Jackson School contact J.B. Bird at jbird@jsg.utexas.edu, 512-232-9623.