Between heaven and earth : the devil and the deep blue sea

Abstract

Between Heaven and Earth, The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea interweaves the story of planet Earth and the narrative of a marine geological expedition in the Arabian Sea. While specifically investigating the changes of the monsoon during Late Quaternary times, the expedition discloses aspects of the living planet in the shape and structure of the crust of the Earth. Daily routines, successes, disappointments and mishaps and the life of a mixed group of scientists, students, technicians and crew aboard the Dutch research vessel TYRO are the background of the story. Against that background the evolution of System Earth is analyzed, interpreted and discussed. Last but not least the present status of that system is evaluated and, more in particular, Man's influence on that condition.

"And so today I begin my story on the sunny afternoon of September 3, 1992, to be precise, at the moment that Transavia Flight HV 607 takes off from Schiphol Airport. At the same time my story begins 4.6 billion years ago, to be precise, at the moment the Earth takes off from the Sun"