Geology: The Science of the Earth's Crust

This book offers a concise, illustrated popular survey of geology, explaining processes that shape the Earth’s surface—weathering, erosion, stream and coastal action, glaciers, wind, volcanism, and internal movements—and how they produce mountains, valleys, lakes, and mineral deposits. It traces geologic time from the planet’s origin through very ancient, ancient, medieval, and modern eras, summarizes the fossil record and the evolution of plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates including humans, and introduces mineralogy and economic geology. Technical terms are minimized and defined, and chapters, maps, and photographs support accessible explanations for lay readers.