VANISHED OCEAN

VANISHED OCEAN

Six million years ago, a vast ocean--which scientists have named Tethys--vanished from the face of the earth. Vanished Ocean tells the fascinating story of Tethys, offering an illuminating account of the scientific evidence for the ocean's existence. World-renowned geologist and oceanographer Dorrik Stow describes the powerful forces that shaped the ocean; the marine life it once held and the rich deposits of oil that life left behind; and the impact of its currents on environment and climate. The story of Tethys is also a story of extraordinary episodes such as the virtual drying up of the Mediterranean, before being filled again by a dramatic cascade of water over the straits of Gibraltar. Along the way, Stow reveals how geologists and oceanographers spent years proving the former existence of Tethys, from a remarkable series of clues locked away in rocks now exposed high up in mountain ranges and buried in sediments deep beneath today's oceans. Indeed, these myriad clues are now scattered from the depths of the Caspian Sea to the highest Himalayan peaks. Review from previous edition: "Vanished Ocean is an ideal book for those who are already widely read in natural science. It should appeal strongly to legions of former science students who, having since made their way in the world as accountants and personnel managers, hanker for the interest ad excitement of a life they once glimpsed but were unable to grasp." --Ted Nield, Literary Review 01.07.10 "Vanished Ocean is an ideal general reader for students and those who are already widely read in natural science." --Ted Nield, Geoscientist 01/08/2010 is an ideal general reader "A wealth of nourishing knowledge revealed through the history of Tethyan Realm." --Ted Nield, Geoscientist 01.08.10 "Vanished Ocean is an ideal book for those who are already widely read in natural science." --Ted Nield, Literary Review 01/07/2010 "A well argued contribution to one of the great scientific debates of the last 30 years." --Jonathan Beard, New Scientist 29/05/2010 The fascinating story of vanished ocean Tethys, offering an illuminating account of the scientific evidence for the ocean's former existence Dorrik Stow is ECOSSE Chair of the Institute of Petroleum Engineering at Heriot-Watt University, in Edinburgh.