The Earth’s Critical Zone Science and its Research Progress

Abstract:

A promising and involving interdisciplinary concept-the earth’s critical zone science is introduced in this paper. Within the earth’s Critical Zone, the coupled chemical, physical and biological processes which define Earth’s weathering engine are driven by climatic, anthropogenic, and tectonic forcing. Followed by the concept and specific questions related to the critical zone were given. Finally, current research in order to understand the Critical zone was reviewed.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volumes 295-298)
• Pages: 2138-2142
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.295-298.2138
• Online since: February 2013
• Authors: Wei Hua Zhang*, Yan Yang, Jun Ying Jin
• Keywords: Critical Zone, Driving Problems, Progress, Research Agenda

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