Formation and Evolution of Geological Grains and Sediments

Formation and Evolution of Geological Grains and Sediments provides a comprehensive discussion of the surface of rocky planets, including the Earth, Moon, Mars, etc., and those that are composed of geological grains of various sizes. These grains are formed and evolved by means of physical and chemical processes, which, in turn, affects the formation and evolution of sediments, geography, and biological environment. In order to clarify the whole picture for these natural processes, this book attempts to overview the state-of-the-art knowledge in the field of granular physics, the earth and planetary sciences, and soil mechanics.

• Presents the most recent data on the formation and evolution of geological grains from granular mechanics perspectives
• Includes an introduction of recent observations on the lunar regolith and the regolith in asteroid Itokawa
• Provides the most recent findings in granular physics and mechanics, including granular packing, grain shape effect, grain size distribution effect, grain comminution, abrasion, and caking