1.1 Brief Contents

Chapter 1

The Earth System 3

Chapter 2

Plate Tectonics: The Unifying Theory 27

Chapter 3

Earth Materials: Minerals and Rocks 57

Chapter 4

Igneous Rocks: Solids from Melts 91

Chapter 5

Sedimentation: Rocks Formed by Surface Processes 115

Chapter 6

Metamorphism: Alteration of Rocks by Temperature and Pressure 149

Chapter 7

Deformation: Modification of Rocks by Folding and Fracturing 171

Chapter 8

Clocks in Rocks: Timing the Geologic Record 195

Chapter 9

Early History of the Terrestrial Planets 221

Chapter 10

History of the Continents 253

Chapter 11

Geobiology: Life Interacts with Earth 283

Chapter 12

Volcanoes 313

Chapter 13

Earthquakes 347

Chapter 14

Exploring Earth’s Interior 383

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Chapter 15

The Climate System 407

Chapter 16

Weathering, Erosion, and Mass Wasting: Interactions Between the Climate and Plate Tectonic Systems 435

Chapter 17

The Hydrologic Cycle and Groundwater 466

Chapter 18

Stream Transport: From Mountains to Oceans 499

Chapter 19

Winds and Deserts 529

Chapter 20

Coastlines and Ocean Basins 551

Chapter 21

Glaciers: The Work of Ice 587

Chapter 22

Landscape Development 617

Chapter 23

The Human Impact on Earth’s Environment 641

Appendix 1 Conversion Factors AP—1

Appendix 2 Numerical Data Pertaining to Earth AP—2

Appendix 3 Chemical Reactions AP—3

Appendix 4 Properties of the Most Common Minerals of Earth’s Crust AP—5

Appendix 5 Practicing Geology Exercises: Answers to Problems AP—9

Glossary GL—1

Index I—1

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