1: Introduction to Physical Geology
- Page ID
- 39637
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Geology is the scientific study of the Earth—its materials, processes, history, and structure. From towering mountain ranges to deep ocean basins, Earth’s dynamic systems have shaped the planet over billions of years. This book provides an accessible yet comprehensive introduction to the field of geology, designed for students new to Earth science as well as anyone curious about how our planet works.
Throughout this text, Earth’s composition, from the elements, minerals, and rocks that form its crust, mantle, and core will be explored, the dynamic forces driving plate tectonics and volcanism will be investigated, and surface processes such as weathering, erosion, mass wasting, water and wind transport, sedimentation, glaciation, and how these shape the landscape will be examined. The book also delves into Earth’s deep history, including geologic time, fossil records, and major events like planetary stratification, growth of continents, evolutionary changes, mass extinctions, and global climate shifts. Additional topics include natural resources, environmental geology, oceanography, and geologic hazards such as earthquakes and landslides. With an emphasis on both foundational concepts and real-world applications, this book aims to build scientific literacy and a deeper appreciation for the planet we call home.
Highest rated
(rating)- 1.2.2: Earth System Science
- 1.1: What Is Geology?
- 1.4: The Hydrologic Cycle
- 1.2.4: We Study Earth Using the Scientific Method
- 1.2: Why Study Earth?
- 1.2.1: The Earth in Space
- 1.2.5: Science Denial and Evaluating Sources
- 1.3: Three Big Ideas- Geological Time, Uniformitarianism, and Plate Tectonics
- 1.2.3: Early Scientific Thought
- 1.5: Chapter 1 Summary and Key Term Check
- 1.2.6: What Do Geologists Do?
Recently updated
(date updated)- 1.4: The Hydrologic Cycle
- 1.5: Chapter 1 Summary and Key Term Check
- 1.2.2: Earth System Science
- 1.3: Three Big Ideas- Geological Time, Uniformitarianism, and Plate Tectonics
- 1.2.1: The Earth in Space
- 1.2.5: Science Denial and Evaluating Sources
- 1.2.3: Early Scientific Thought
- 1.2.4: We Study Earth Using the Scientific Method
- 1.2.6: What Do Geologists Do?
- 1.2: Why Study Earth?
- 1.1: What Is Geology?
Recently added
(date created)- 1.4: The Hydrologic Cycle
- 1.2.2: Earth System Science
- 1.2.1: The Earth in Space
- 1.2.5: Science Denial and Evaluating Sources
- 1.2.3: Early Scientific Thought
- 1.5: Chapter 1 Summary and Key Term Check
- 1.3: Three Big Ideas- Geological Time, Uniformitarianism, and Plate Tectonics
- 1.2.4: We Study Earth Using the Scientific Method
- 1.2.6: What Do Geologists Do?
- 1.2: Why Study Earth?
- 1.1: What Is Geology?