This book introduces the reader to the unique geology of Greece. This country is a natural geology laboratory that can help us understand the present-day active geodynamic processes in the Hellenic orogenic arc, including earthquakes, volcanoes, coastline changes and other processes of uplift and subsidence, as well as the intense erosion, transport and deposition of sediments. Additionally, Greece offers a remarkable geological museum, reflecting the complex history of the area over the last 300 million years. By studying the rocks of Greece, one can discover old oceanic basins, e.g. in the Northern Pindos and Othrys mountains, crystalline rocks of Palaeozoic age, old granitic and volcanic rocks, as well as other sedimentary rocks including fossils from the shallow neritic facies to pelagic and abyssal facies. The younger sediments demonstrate the continuously changing palaeogeography of Greece, with areas of lakes, high plateaus and gulfs that are transformed into new forms of islands, peninsulas or high mountains, etc. All the above subjects are included in the book, which describes the tectonic structure of the geological strata, together with the evolutionary stages of the palaeogeography and geodynamics within the broader Mediterranean context. A special characteristic of the book is the development of the orogenic model of the Hellenides with the application of the tectono-stratigraphic terrane concept in the Tethyan system.

Using the term geology in its broadest sense, Michael Denis Higgins and Reynold Higgins not only describe the bedrock and the geomorphology of Greece and the Aegean region but also discuss ancient sources of water, stone, and metals in relation to the development of settlements. They explore the links between archaeology and geology, asking how the geological environment shaped settlement in antiquity and how subsequent geological processes have influenced the preservation or destruction of ancient sites. The authors begin with an outline of the geological background and explain some of the geological controversies of the area. They catalogue what could be seen on the surface of the earth and consider, as well, the processes that resulted in those surface features. Their general survey is followed by the treatment of individual sites within settlements. A Geological Companion to Greece and the Aegean includes over 140 maps, as well as space-shuttle photographs, a glossary, and references to original sources. It will interest scholars and archaeologists and will also appeal to those who visit ancient sites and are eager to be fully informed.

This book presents a comprehensive and up-to-date overview on soils of Greece. It includes sections on soil research history, climate, geology, geomorphology, major soil types, soil maps, soil properties, soil classification, soil fertility, land use and vegetation, soil management, soils and humans, soils and industry, future soil issues. The book summarizes what is known about the soils in Greece in a concise and highly reader-friendly way.

Gems have been used in the manufacture of jewellery and as ornaments since antiquity. Considering gems, recent statistics have shown that about 15 billion Euros are annually at stake. Nowadays, gemmology, i.e., the study of gem materials, is one of the most expanding fields in the earth sciences, positioned between academia and industry. As an applied science, in gemmology, the instruments used should be non- or microdestructive, and their cost should be reasonable both in terms of equipment and time consumption. Gemmology can also be used contribute to the development of pure science and in some cases, destructive techniques may have to be used. Taking into account the fact that gems are albeit rarely available for scientific research, this compilation of 20 articles by around 100 researchers from over 30 different institutions situated in 20 countries from around the globe, presented in the Special Issue entitled “Mineralogy and Geochemistry of Gems”, offers very good examples on the application of various methods for their study which will hopefully contribute to our better understanding of gem formation in general and will enhance scientific debates attracting more scientists from various disciplines to get involved in this field.

A synthesis of research on the material culture of Greece in the Archaic and Classical periods.

The outflow of heat from the earth's interior, the terrestrial heat flow, and the temperature field at depth are determined by deep-seated tectonic processes. The knowledge of the re gional heat flow pattern is thus very important in geophysics and provides a useful tool for studying crustal and litho spheric structure and understanding the nature of their evo lution. In order to use the results of heat flow measurements for regional studies and/or to correlate the observed surface geothermal activity with other geophysical or geological fea tures, a map showing the surface distribution of heat flow is necessary. Since 1963, when the first comprehensive listing of all available heat flow data appeared (Lee, 1963), several at tempts have been made to up-date the list, to classify all the data and to interpret them with respect to tectonics, deep structure and to use them for constructing surface heat flow maps. The first listing was subsequently revised by Lee and Uyeda (1965); numerous new data which were published there after were included in successive catalogs compiled by Simmons and Horai (1968) and then again by Jessop et al. (1976). The map showing the surface heat flow pattern may also be of great value for practical purposes, in view of the recent world-wide search for applicable sources of geothermal energy.