How Does Earth Work? Physical Geology and the Process of Science

by Smith, Gary; Pun, Aurora

• ISBN13: 9780136003687
• ISBN10: 0136003680
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-01-21
• Publisher: Pearson

Summary

With its unconventional yet highly effective approach,How Does Earth Work?demonstrates the process of science as a vehicle for investigating physical geology. Smith and Pun connect readers to the evidence behind the facts, instead of reproducing known facts-sparking interest in how science is practiced and how we know what we know. Why Study Earth? Minerals: Building Blocks of the Planet; Rocks and Rock-Forming Processes; Formation of Magma and Igneous Rocks; Formation of Sediment and Sedimentary Rocks; Formation of Metamorphic Rocks; Earth Materials as Time Keepers; Journey to the Center of Earth; Making Earth; Motion Inside Earth; Deformation of Rocks; Global Tectonics: Plates and Plumes; Tectonics and Surface Relief; Soil Formation and Landscape Stability; Mass Movements: Landscapes in Motion; Streams: Flowing Water Shapes the Landscape; Water Flowing Underground; Glaciers: Cold-Climate Sculptors of Continents; Shorelines: Changing Landscapes Where Land Meets Sea; Wind: A Global Geologic Process; Global Warming: Real-time Change in the Earth System; Why Study Climate Change? An interesting reference for anyone interested in learning more about Earthrs"s processes.

Author Biography

Gary A. Smith is a Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences at the University of New Mexico and Fellow of the Geological Society of America. He has an undergraduate geology degree with a specialty in geophysics from Bowling Green State University and a Ph.D. in geology from Oregon State University. Gary has strong interests in science education through his membership in the National Association of Geoscience Teachers and the National Science Teachers Association, and as Director of the Office of Support for Effective Teaching, the faculty development center at the University of New Mexico.

Aurora Pun is a Lecturer in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at the University of New Mexico. She holds an undergraduate degree in paleontology from the University of California, Berkeley and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Geology from the University of New Mexico, Institute of Meteoritics. Aurora has taught physical geology for over 14 years. Also a member of the National Association of Geoscience Teachers, Aurora has taught a course for teachers on developing inquiry-based K-12 curricula in the earth and space sciences.

Table of Contents

Why Study Earth?

Minerals: Building Blocks of the Planet

Rocks and Rock-Forming Processes

Formation of Magma and Igneous Rocks

Formation of Sediment and Sedimentary Rocks

Formation of Metamorphic Rocks

Earth Materials as Time Keepers

Journey to the Center of Earth

Making Earth

Motion Inside Earth

Deformation of Rocks

Global Tectonics: Plates and Plumes

Tectonics and Surface Relief

Soil Formation and Landscape Stability

Mass Movements: Landscapes in Motion

Streams: Flowing Water Shapes the Landscape

Water Flowing Underground

Glaciers: Cold-Climate Sculptors of Continents

Shorelines: Changing Landscapes Where Land Meets Sea

Wind: A Global Geologic Process

Global Warming: Real-time Change in the Earth System Why Study Climate Change?

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.