Understanding earth

Includes index.

Appendices = page AP-1 through page AP-12. Glossary = page GL-1 through page GL-17. Index = page I-1 through page I-21.

Chapter 1. The Earth system -- Chapter 2. Plate tectonics : The unifying theory -- Chapter 3. Earth materials : Minerals and rocks -- Chapter 4. Igneous rocks : Solids from melts -- Chapter 5. Volcanoes -- Chapter 6. Sedimentation : Rocks formed by surface processes -- Chapter 7. Metamorphism : Alteration of rocks by temperature and pressure -- Chapter 8. Deformation : Modification of rocks by folding and fracturing -- Chapter 9. Clocks in rocks : Timing the geologic record -- Chapter 10. Earthquakes -- Chapter 11. Exploring Earth's interior -- Chapter 12. The climate system -- Chapter 13. Civilization as a global geosystem -- Chapter 14. Anthropogenic global change -- Chapter 15. Glaciers : The work of ice -- Chapter 16. Earth surface processes and landscape development -- Chapter 17. The hydrologic cycle and groundwater -- Chapter 18. Stream transport : From mountains to oceans -- Chapter 19. Coastlines and deserts -- Chapter 20. Early history of the terrestrial planets -- Chapter 21. History of the continents -- Chapter 22. Geobiology : Life interacts with Earth -- Appendix 1. Conversion factors -- Appendix 2. Numerical data pertaining to Earth -- Appendix 3. Chemical reactions -- Appendix 4. Properties of the most common minerals of Earth's crust -- Appendix 5. Practicing geology exercises : Answers to bonus problems -- Appendix 6. Answers to visual literacy exercises -- Glossary -- Index.

Understanding Earth has become an educational priority for every citizen concerned with civilization's effects on the natural environment. This textbook provides undergraduate students with a comprehensive and approachable introduction to physical geology, ranging across the full diversity of geologic and planetary studies. This new edition is bolstered by a greater emphasis on how our civilization has grown into a global geosystem strongly coupled to the climate system.