vi
B R I E F C O N T E N T S
B R I E F C O N T E N T S
1 An Introduction to Geology 1
2 Matter and Minerals 36
3 Igneous Rocks and Intrusive Activity 62
4 Volcanoes and Volcanic Hazards 90
5 Weathering and Soils 122
6 Sedimentary Rocks 148
7 Metamorphism and Metamorphic Rocks 176
8 Mass Wasting: The Work of Gravity 196
9 Running Water 214
10 Groundwater 238
11 Glaciers and Glaciation 260
12 Deserts and Wind 286
13 Shorelines 306
14 Earthquakes and Earth’ s Interior 334
15 Plate Tectonics: A Scientific Revolution Unfolds 360
16 Origin and Evolution of the Ocean Floor 392
17 Crustal Deformation and Mountain Building 414
18 Geologic Time 436
19 Earth’ s Evolution through Geologic Time 460
20 Global Climate Change 492
Appendix A
Metric and Engligh Units Compared 475
Appendix B
Topographic Maps 477
Appendix C
Landforms of the Conterminous United States 481
Glossary 483
Index 493
vi
B R I E F C O N T E N T S
B R I E F C O N T E N T S
1 An Introduction to Geology 1
2 Matter and Minerals 36
3 Igneous Rocks and Intrusive Activity 62
4 Volcanoes and Volcanic Hazards 90
5 Weathering and Soils 122
6 Sedimentary Rocks 148
7 Metamorphism and Metamorphic Rocks 176
8 Mass Wasting: The Work of Gravity 196
9 Running Water 214
10 Groundwater 238
11 Glaciers and Glaciation 260
12 Deserts and Wind 286
13 Shorelines 306
14 Earthquakes and Earth’ s Interior 334
15 Plate Tectonics: A Scientific Revolution Unfolds 360
16 Origin and Evolution of the Ocean Floor 392
17 Crustal Deformation and Mountain Building 414
18 Geologic Time 436
19 Earth’ s Evolution through Geologic Time 460
20 Global Climate Change 492
Appendix A
Metric and Engligh Units Compared 475
Appendix B
Topographic Maps 477
Appendix C
Landforms of the Conterminous United States 481
Glossary 483
Index 493
vi