Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Statistics of Earth Science Data

Their Distribution in Time, Space and Orientation

  • Textbook
  • © 2003

Overview

Authors:
  1. Graham Borradaile

    1. Geology Department, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Canada

    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

  • Pre-requisite knowledge of statistics not necessary

  • Specialist terminology reduced to a minimum

  • Very graphical approach with many examples

  • Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this book

Log in via an institution
eBook USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access

Licence this eBook for your library

Institutional subscriptions

Table of contents (13 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages I-XXVII
    Download chapter PDF

  2. Spatial Sampling

    • Graham Borradaile
    Pages 1-33

  3. Central Tendency and Dispersion

    • Graham Borradaile
    Pages 35-59

  4. Theoretical Distributions: Binomial, Poisson and Normal Distributions

    • Graham Borradaile
    Pages 61-75

  5. Statistical Inference: Estimation and Hypothesis Tests

    • Graham Borradaile
    Pages 77-110

  6. Comparing Frequency-Distribution Curves

    • Graham Borradaile
    Pages 111-131

  7. Regression: Linear, Curvilinear and Multilinear

    • Graham Borradaile
    Pages 133-156

  8. Correlation and Comparison of Variables

    • Graham Borradaile
    Pages 157-185

  9. Sequences, Cycles and Time Series

    • Graham Borradaile
    Pages 187-220

  10. Circular Orientation Data

    • Graham Borradaile
    Pages 221-245

  11. Spherical-Orientation Data

    • Graham Borradaile
    Pages 247-292

  12. Spherical Orientation Data:Tensors

    • Graham Borradaile
    Pages 293-326

  13. Appendix

    • Graham Borradaile
    Pages 327-336

  14. References

    • Graham Borradaile
    Pages 337-343

  15. Back Matter

    Pages 345-353
    Download chapter PDF
Back to top

Keywords

About this book

The Goals of Data Collection and Its Statistical Treatment in the Earth Sciences The earth sciences are characterised by loose and complex relationships between variables, and the necessity to understand the geographical dis­ tribution of observations as well as their frequency distribution. Our fre­ quency distributions and the looseness of relationships reflect the com­ plexity and intrinsic natural variation in nature, more than measurement error. Furthermore, earth scientists cannot design experiments according to statistical recommendation because the availability and complexity of data are beyond our control. Usually, the system we are studying cannot be isolated into discrete independent variables. These factors influence the first steps of research, how and where to collect specimens or observations. Some issues are particularly troublesome and common in earth science, but are rarely handled in an undergraduate statistics course. These include spatial-sampling methods, orientation data, regionalised variables, time se­ ries, identification of cyclicity and pattern, discrimination, multivariate systems, lurking variables and constant-sum data. It is remarkable that most earth-science students confront these issues without formal training or focused consideration.

Reviews

From the reviews:

"All in all, Graham Borradaile has written and interesting and idiosyncratic book on statistics for geoscientists that will be welcome among students, researchers, and practitioners dealing with orientation data. That should include engineering geologists who work with things like rock fracture orientation measurements or clast alignment in paleoseismic trenches. It won’t replace the collection of statistics and geostatistics texts in my library, but it will have a place among them and will likely be one of several references to which I turn when working with orientation data.... The text is easy to follow and illustrations are generally clear and easy to read..."(William C. Haneberg, Haneberg Geoscience)

"This monograph is an introductory course in statistically processed data types in earth sciences, where large sample contemporary methods of data gathering are required. … The book is intended for higher course students and aspirants in all earth sciences. It will be helpful for professional researchers in data processing in electronic tables. In contrast to usual textbooks on statistics, this book includes material on sample formation, time series and oriented data up to three dimensions, and is illustrated by substantive examples." (Sultan G. Valeev, Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 1041 (16), 2004)

"The statistical analysis of geological data requires, more often than not, techniques that are only covered by advanced courses in statistics. … G. Borradaile recognises this, and uses it as the starting point for his book … . he succeeds in demonstrating how treatment of Earth Science data can be greatly enhanced and quantified without great pain. … Statistics of Earth Science Data is a very convenient and complete introduction in statistics, with an approach that will be appreciated by geologists and other Earth scientists." (Kris Piessens, Geologica Belgica, Issue 7, 2004)

Authors and Affiliations

  • Geology Department, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Canada

    Graham Borradaile

Bibliographic Information

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Back to top

Search

Navigation