This book is an introduction to critical cartography and GIS. As such, it is neither a textbook nor a software manual. My purpose is to discuss various aspects of mapping theory and practice, from critical social theory to some of the most interesting new mapping practices such as map hacking and the geospatial web. It is an appreciation of a more critical cartography and GIS.

Basic data on the opening of backarc basin, South China Sea (abbreviated as SCS hereafter) basin, were obtained through a two-year Japan and China cooperative joint marine geophysical survey in 1993 and 1994. Some new gravity, magnetic and seismic structural data by reflection as well as refraction study of SCS were obtained and added to existing data. A systematic three component magnetic measurement was made for the first time in this basin. These data in addition to those of earlier studies are constraints for depicting a thinning of a continental crust and later followed by a backarc basin opening by ocean floor spreading. Gravimetric and magnetic anomalies, heat flow, and ages of drilled rocks from this area are referred to speculating on the opening scheme of SCS. Origin of disoriented and scattered magnetic anomaly lineations is suggested to be due to intermittent activities along opening ridge systems of SCS. <...>

Exploration of the oceans using the techniques of the geophysicist has had a profound influence on our understanding of the Earth and its behaviour through time. Observations in the deep ocean have played a key role in establishing modern plate tectonic theory, transforming Earth Science in ways that were quite unexpected when the first geophysicists put to sea. Measurements in shallower waters have revealed how continental margins form, subside and become covered with sedimentary accumulations.

The formation and evolution of the Earth and planets depend on transfer of mass and energy. Magma and fluid are integral parts of the transport processes that govern the mass and energy transfer. Mass transport property data are central to describe those processes. Mass transport is accomplished by transfer of fluids and magma and typically takes place at high temperature and pressure. Mass transport typically occurs along temperature and pressure gradients, which means that energy transport also associates with mass transport, although in this book, energy transfer is not explicitly discussed.