Essentials of Geology

Publisher’s Notice
Halftitle Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Brief Contents
Special Features
Contents
Preface
Prelude: And Just What Is Geology?
P.1 In Search of Ideas
P.2 Why Study Geology?
P.3 Themes of This Book
Prelude Review
Chapter 1: The Earth in Context
1.1 Introduction
1.2 An Image of Our Universe
1.3 Forming the Universe
1.4 Forming the Solar System
1.5 The Earth’s Moon and Magnetic Field
1.6 The Earth System
1.7 Looking Inward—Discovering the Earth’s Interior
1.8 Basic Characteristics of the Earth’s Layers
Chapter 1 Review
Chapter 2: The Way the Earth Works: Plate Tectonics
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Wegener’s Evidence for Continental Drift
2.3 The Discovery of Seafloor Spreading
2.4 Paleomagnetism—Proving Continental Drift and Seafloor Spreading
2.5 What Do We Mean by Plate Tectonics?
2.6 Divergent Boundaries and Seafloor Spreading
2.7 Convergent Boundaries and Subduction
2.8 Transform Boundaries
2.9 Special Locations in the Plate Mosaic
2.10 How Do Plate Boundaries Form, and How Do They Die?
2.11 Moving Plates
Chapter 2 Review
Chapter 3: Patterns in Nature: Minerals
3.1 Introduction
3.2 What Is a Mineral?
3.3 Beauty in Patterns: Crystals and Their Structures
3.4 How Can You Tell One Mineral from Another?
3.5 Organizing Your Knowledge: Mineral Classification
3.6 Something Precious—Gems!
Chapter 3 Review
Interlude A: Introducing Rocks
A.1 Introduction
A.2 What is Rock?
A.3 The Basis of Rock Classification
A.4 Studying Rock
Interlude A Review
Chapter 4: Up from the Inferno: Magma and Igneous Rocks
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Why Does Magma Form, and What Is It Made of?
4.3 Movement and Solidification of Molten Rock
4.4 How Do You Describe an Igneous Rock?
4.5 Plate-Tectonic Context of Igneous Activity
Chapter 4 Review
Chapter 5: The Wrath of Vulcan: Volcanic Eruptions
5.1 Introduction
5.2 The Products of Volcanic Eruptions
5.3 Structure and Eruptive Style
5.4 Geologic Settings of Volcanism
5.5 Beware: Volcanoes Are Hazards!
5.6 Protection from Vulcan’s Wrath
5.7 Effect of Volcanoes on Climate and Civilization
5.8 Volcanoes on Other Planets
Chapter 5 Review
Interlude B: A Surface Veneer: Sediments and Soils
B.1 Introduction
B.2 Weathering: Forming Sediment
B.3 Soil
Interlude B Review
Chapter 6: Pages of the Earth’s Past: Sedimentary Rocks
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Classes of Sedimentary Rocks
6.3 Sedimentary Structures
6.4 Recognizing Depositional Environments
6.5 Sedimentary Basins
Chapter 6 Review
Chapter 7: Metamorphism: A Process of Change
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Consequences and Causes of Metamorphism
7.3 Types of Metamorphic Rocks
7.4 Where Does Metamorphism Occur?
Chapter 7 Review
Interlude C: The Rock Cycle
C.1 Introduction
C.2 Rock Cycle Paths
C.3 A Case Study of the Rock Cycle
C.4 Cycles of the Earth System
Interlude C Review
Chapter 8: A Violent Pulse: Earthquakes
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Causes of Earthquakes
8.3 Seismic Waves and Their Measurement
8.4 Defining the Size of Earthquakes
8.5 Where and Why Do Earthquakes Occur?
8.6 How Do Earthquakes Cause Damage?
8.7 Can We Predict the “Big One”?
8.8 Earthquake Engineering and Zoning
Chapter 8 Review
Interlude D: The Earth’s Interior Revisited: Insights from Geophysics
D.1 Introduction
D.2 The Basis for Seismic Study of the Interior
D.3 Seismic Study of the Earth’s Interior
D.4 The Earth’s Gravity
D.5 The Earth’s Magnetic Field, Revisited
Interlude D Review
Chapter 9: Crags, Cracks, and Crumples: Geologic Structures and Mountain Building
9.1 Introduction
9.2 Rock Deformation in the Earth’s Crust
9.3 Brittle Structures
9.4 Folds and Foliations
9.5 Causes of Mountain Building
9.6 Other Consequences of Mountain Building
9.7 Basins and Domes in Cratons
Chapter 9 Review
Interlude E: Memories of Past Life: Fossils and Evolution
E.1 The Discovery of Fossils
E.2 Fossilization
E.3 Taxonomy and Identification
E.4 The Fossil Record
E.5 Evolution and Extinction
Interlude E Review
Chapter 10: Deep Time: How Old Is Old?
10.1 Introduction
10.2 The Concept of Geologic Time
10.3 Relative Age
10.4 Unconformities: Gaps in the Record
10.5 Stratigraphic Formations and Their Correlation
10.6 The Geologic Column
10.7 How Do We Determine Numerical Ages?
10.8 Numerical Age and Geologic Time
Chapter 10 Review
Chapter 11: A Biography of the Earth
11.1 Introduction
11.2 Hadean and Archean Time: The Earth’s Early Days
11.3 The Proterozoic: The Earth in Transition
11.4 The Paleozoic Era: Continents Reassemble, and Life Gets Complex
11.5 The Mesozoic Era: When Dinosaurs Ruled
11.6 The Cenozoic Era: The Modern World Comes to Be
Chapter 11 Review
Chapter 12: Riches in Rock: Energy and Mineral Resources
12.1 Introduction
12.2 Sources of Energy in the Earth System
12.3 Introducing Hydrocarbon Resources
12.4 Conventional Hydrocarbon Systems
12.5 Unconventional Hydrocarbon Reserves
12.6 Coal: Energy from the Swamps of the Past
12.7 Nuclear Power
12.8 Other Energy Sources
12.9 Energy Choices, Energy Problems
12.10 Mineral Resources
12.11 Nonmetallic Mineral Resources
12.12 Global Mineral Needs
Chapter 12 Review
Interlude F: An Introduction to Landscapes and the Hydrologic Cycle
F.1 Introduction
F.2 Shaping the Earth’s Surface
F.3 Factors Controlling Landscape Development
F.4 The Hydrologic Cycle
F.5 Landscapes of Other Planets
Interlude F Review
Chapter 13: Unsafe Ground: Landslides and Other Mass Movements
13.1 Introduction
13.2 Types of Mass Movement
13.3 Why Do Mass Movements Occur?
13.4 How Can We Protect Against Mass-Movement Disasters?
Chapter 13 Review
Chapter 14: Streams and Floods: The Geology of Running Water
14.1 Introduction
14.2 Draining the Land
14.3 The Work of Running Water
14.4 Streams in the Landscape
14.5 The Evolution of Drainage
14.6 Raging Waters
14.7 Human Impact on Rivers
Chapter 14 Review
Chapter 15: Restless Realm: Oceans and Coasts
15.1 Introduction
15.2 Landscapes Beneath the Sea
15.3 Ocean Water Characteristics
15.4 Tides and Wave Action
15.5 Currents: Rivers in the Sea
15.6 Where Land Meets Sea: Coastal Landforms
15.7 Causes of Coastal Variability
15.8 Coastal Problems and Solutions
Chapter 15 Review
Chapter 16: A Hidden Reserve: Groundwater
16.1 Introduction
16.2 Where Does Groundwater Reside?
16.3 Groundwater Flow
16.4 Tapping Groundwater Supplies
16.5 Hot Springs and Geysers
16.6 Groundwater Problems
16.7 Caves and Karst
Chapter 16 Review
Chapter 17: Dry Regions:The Geology of Deserts
17.1 Introduction
17.2 The Nature and Locations of Deserts
17.3 Producing Desert Landscapes
17.4 Deposition in Deserts
17.5 Desert Landscapes
17.6 Desert Problems
Chapter 17 Review
Chapter 18: Amazing Ice: Glaciers and Ice Ages
18.1 Introduction
18.2 Ice and the Nature of Glaciers
18.3 Carving and Carrying by Ice
18.4 Deposition Associated with Glaciation
18.5 Consequences of Continental Glaciation
18.6 The Pleistocene Ice Age
18.7 The Causes of Ice Ages
Chapter 18 Review
Chapter 19: Global Change in the Earth System
19.1 Introduction
19.2 Unidirectional Changes
19.3 Cyclic Changes
19.4 Human Impact on Land and Life
19.5 Global Climate Change
19.6 Contemporary Global Warming
19.7 The Future of the Earth
Chapter 19 Review
Additional Charts
Glossary
Photo Credits
Index