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Applied geomorphology — Geomorphological Surveys for Environmental Development
345 from the addition of maps giving the reader not intimate with Indian geography a better notion of where places cited and even entire study areas are located. HENRY R. SCHMOLL(Denver, Colo.)
Applied Geomorphology -- Geomorphological Surveys for Environmental Development. H.Th. Verstappen. Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1983, xi + 437 pp., US $95.75 (U.S.A. and Canada)/Dfl. 225.00 {rest of world; hardcover). This book comprehensively covers an important aspect of applied geomorphology and provides a quite readable reference work on geomorphologic survey techniques for resource development. It is a timely tool for environmental management and resource inventory and is a logical extension of the author's earlier work, Remote Sensing in Geomorphology. The book is divided into three sections. Part A contains an introduction to applied geomorphology and discusses the interrelationships between this discipline and other environmental sciences in the area of resource surveys. Part B discusses the role of geomorphology in land use evaluation and reflects on how man's development activities are impacted by the local geomorphology and how these developments can themselves contribute to the geomorphologic process. Part C covers survey methodologies for planned development and hazard evaluatiorL The author discusses in considerable detail the relationship between geomorphological surveys and science, engineering, and resource evaluation interests. Individual chapters deal with such topics as soils, hydrology, vegetation assessment, rural land use, urbanization, engineering, mineral exploration, and development planning. A board spectrum of the appropriate literature is cited to support the text and to provide corroborative examples. The illustrations are drawn from a global perspective and represent virtually every conceivable geomorphic setting presently facing development pressure. The author's frequent use of examples and case studies makes the text quite readable and emphasizes his expertise in this subject area. The illustrations are of excellent quality and include maps, photographs, aerial imagery, stereo pairs, and diagrams. The discussion of specific geomorphological survey techniques in the final section covers analytical and synthetic geomorphological surveys as well as specific hazard surveys. The latter includes surveys for flood and drought susceptibility, slope stability, avalanche mapping, and other hazards of endogenous origin. Each survey type is described in terms of its evolution in applied geomorphology and there is a discussion of its technology and application. As was the case in the preceding sections, numerous examples and illustrations reinforce the text. This volume presents the subject of geomorphologic surveying for resource development thoroughly and places this component of applied
346 geomorphology in its proper perspective as an important tool for achieving a balance between environmental sensitivity and development pressures. It provides a relevant reference for environmental scientists, engineers, and planners as well as an excellent text for advanced geomorphology students. RODNEY D. ADAMS (Baton Rouge, La.)
Groundwater in Civil Engineering. L. R~thfiti. Developments in Geotechnical Engineering, 35, Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1983, 500 pp., US $104.25 (USA and Canada)/Dfl. 245.00 (rest of world). Hardcover. Co-edition with Akademiai Kiado, Budapest, 1983. Groundwater in Civil Engineering by L. R~thfiti is a two-part book. The first section (9 chapters, 264 pages) is titled Theory and Methodology. It represents 61% of the text of the 478 page book (420 pages text, 58 pages index, appendices, etc.) and deals with the physics, chemistry and biology of groundwater, as well as the meteorological aspects. A chapter on mathematical models for describing geohydrological phenomena deals with density and distribution functions; derivation and examination of empirical distribution functions; relations between random variables; and periodicity analysis. The second section of the text (6 chapters, 172 pages) represent 39% of the text and is called The Solution of Practical Problems. The first three chapters of this section are devoted to methods for determining groundwater levels, natural and artificial factors affecting the groundwater regime; and the determination of extremes in the groundwater table. The last three chapters deal with the engineering problems of dewatering and protection of structures and excavations; water damage to engineering structures and projects. The t e x t is well suited for an introductory text in groundwater hydrology for engineering students. It is devoted too much to the introduction of the physics and chemistry of groundwater, its origin and behavior fundamentals, and too little to engineering applications and case histories for upper division engineering courses. Strong points of the text include the discussion of Karst hydrology, the meteorology of Europe and the methodology employed by Hungarian hydrogeologists and engineers. The chapters are well illustrated, with 288 line drawings. A total of 52 tables present data tabulations. More than 290 references are cited, however, most (77%) are from the 1950's and 1960's. No reference is more recent than 1974. The book will be primary value to scientists concerned with foundation engineering, but has appeal to hydrogeologists and soil scientists as well. LARRY D. AGENBROAD (Flagstaff, Ariz.)
Applied Geomorphology -- Geomorphological Surveys for Environmental Development. H.Th. Verstappen. Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1983, xi + 437 pp., US $95.75 (U.S.A. and Canada)/Dfl. 225.00 {rest of world; hardcover). This book comprehensively covers an important aspect of applied geomorphology and provides a quite readable reference work on geomorphologic survey techniques for resource development. It is a timely tool for environmental management and resource inventory and is a logical extension of the author's earlier work, Remote Sensing in Geomorphology. The book is divided into three sections. Part A contains an introduction to applied geomorphology and discusses the interrelationships between this discipline and other environmental sciences in the area of resource surveys. Part B discusses the role of geomorphology in land use evaluation and reflects on how man's development activities are impacted by the local geomorphology and how these developments can themselves contribute to the geomorphologic process. Part C covers survey methodologies for planned development and hazard evaluatiorL The author discusses in considerable detail the relationship between geomorphological surveys and science, engineering, and resource evaluation interests. Individual chapters deal with such topics as soils, hydrology, vegetation assessment, rural land use, urbanization, engineering, mineral exploration, and development planning. A board spectrum of the appropriate literature is cited to support the text and to provide corroborative examples. The illustrations are drawn from a global perspective and represent virtually every conceivable geomorphic setting presently facing development pressure. The author's frequent use of examples and case studies makes the text quite readable and emphasizes his expertise in this subject area. The illustrations are of excellent quality and include maps, photographs, aerial imagery, stereo pairs, and diagrams. The discussion of specific geomorphological survey techniques in the final section covers analytical and synthetic geomorphological surveys as well as specific hazard surveys. The latter includes surveys for flood and drought susceptibility, slope stability, avalanche mapping, and other hazards of endogenous origin. Each survey type is described in terms of its evolution in applied geomorphology and there is a discussion of its technology and application. As was the case in the preceding sections, numerous examples and illustrations reinforce the text. This volume presents the subject of geomorphologic surveying for resource development thoroughly and places this component of applied
346 geomorphology in its proper perspective as an important tool for achieving a balance between environmental sensitivity and development pressures. It provides a relevant reference for environmental scientists, engineers, and planners as well as an excellent text for advanced geomorphology students. RODNEY D. ADAMS (Baton Rouge, La.)
Groundwater in Civil Engineering. L. R~thfiti. Developments in Geotechnical Engineering, 35, Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1983, 500 pp., US $104.25 (USA and Canada)/Dfl. 245.00 (rest of world). Hardcover. Co-edition with Akademiai Kiado, Budapest, 1983. Groundwater in Civil Engineering by L. R~thfiti is a two-part book. The first section (9 chapters, 264 pages) is titled Theory and Methodology. It represents 61% of the text of the 478 page book (420 pages text, 58 pages index, appendices, etc.) and deals with the physics, chemistry and biology of groundwater, as well as the meteorological aspects. A chapter on mathematical models for describing geohydrological phenomena deals with density and distribution functions; derivation and examination of empirical distribution functions; relations between random variables; and periodicity analysis. The second section of the text (6 chapters, 172 pages) represent 39% of the text and is called The Solution of Practical Problems. The first three chapters of this section are devoted to methods for determining groundwater levels, natural and artificial factors affecting the groundwater regime; and the determination of extremes in the groundwater table. The last three chapters deal with the engineering problems of dewatering and protection of structures and excavations; water damage to engineering structures and projects. The t e x t is well suited for an introductory text in groundwater hydrology for engineering students. It is devoted too much to the introduction of the physics and chemistry of groundwater, its origin and behavior fundamentals, and too little to engineering applications and case histories for upper division engineering courses. Strong points of the text include the discussion of Karst hydrology, the meteorology of Europe and the methodology employed by Hungarian hydrogeologists and engineers. The chapters are well illustrated, with 288 line drawings. A total of 52 tables present data tabulations. More than 290 references are cited, however, most (77%) are from the 1950's and 1960's. No reference is more recent than 1974. The book will be primary value to scientists concerned with foundation engineering, but has appeal to hydrogeologists and soil scientists as well. LARRY D. AGENBROAD (Flagstaff, Ariz.)