The Geology Companion : Essentials for Understanding the Earth

"The purpose of this book is to provide an accessible introduction to geosciences for a wide range of students and lay persons. This is a practical book for those who want to understand the earth, without the need to become scientific experts. It will provide readers with a quick, basic grounding in the principles and science, and explain how to apply the information in a practical way. The Geology Companion is both a reference and a guide to understanding the earth and its geologic processes, and how they affect people in their daily lives."--Provided by publisher. Read more... Abstract: "The purpose of this book is to provide an accessible introduction to geosciences for a wide range of students and lay persons. This is a practical book for those who want to understand the earth, without the need to become scientific experts. It will provide readers with a quick, basic grounding in the principles and science, and explain how to apply the information in a practical way. The Geology Companion is both a reference and a guide to understanding the earth and its geologic processes, and how they affect people in their daily lives."--Provided by publisher Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Table of Contents Preface Acknowledgments Authors Chapter 1: Introduction Geology Matters Reading the Rocks Hypothesis and Theory Facts Taking Notes Tools of the Trade “Rules of the Road” for Collecting Why This Book? References Chapter 2: Minerals All about Crystals Mineral Properties Color Streak Luster Transparency Cleavage Fracture Hardness Specific Gravity Mineral Identification Special Powers of Crystals Common Minerals Mineral Collecting: Knowing Where to Look A Sampling of Mineral Collecting Field Guides References Chapter 3: Rocks Sedimentary Rock Igneous Rock Volcanic (Extrusive) Rocks Plutonic (Intrusive) Rocks Plutonic Structures Metamorphic Rock Metamorphic Rock Types What Rocks Tell You A Sampling of Geologic Guidebooks Maps Chapter 4: Geologic Principles Principle of Original Horizontality Principle of Superposition Unconformities Types of Unconformities Principle of Stratigraphic Correlation and Lateral Continuity Principle of Faunal Succession Principle of Cross-Cutting Relationships Principle of Inclusions Principle of Uniformitarianism References Chapter 5: Deep Time The Concept of Deep Time How to Tell the Age of Rocks: Relative and Absolute Dating Age of the Earth and the Solar System (and How Long Earth Will Last) References Chapter 6: Earth History The Geologic Time Scale Key Events of the Precambrian Eon The Hadean: Formation of the Earth, Moon, and Atmosphere The Archaean: Beginning of Life and the Oldest Rocks The Proterozoic: Photosynthesis, the Great Oxygenation Event, and Snowball Earth Key Events of the Paleozoic Era An Explosion of Life First Land Plants First Land Animals The Great Extinction Key Events of the Mesozoic Era Dinosaurs Birth of the Atlantic Ocean Flowering Plants End of the Dinosaurs Key Developments of the Cenozoic Era Mammals Ice Ages The Earth We Know What the Future Holds References and General Reading Chapter 7: Fossils Seashells on Mountain Tops—The Development of Paleontology How Fossils Are Formed and Preserved The Fossil’s Tale Major Categories of Life Fossil Hunting References and General Reading Chapter 8: Evolution The Concept of Evolution Lamarckian Genetics Darwin and Wallace Mendel and Inheritance of Traits The Tree of Life The Large Size of Some Animals Ongoing Evolution of Humans Extinction Origin of Life References and General Reading Chapter 9: The Changing Face of the Earth—Structure of the Earth, Plate Tectonics, and Mountain Building Structure of the Earth Plate Tectonics and Continental Drift Mountain Building Rock Deformation Brittle Deformation: Faults, Joints, and Earthquakes Ductile Deformation and Folding Erosional Highlands References and General Reading Chapter 10: The Changing Face of the Earth—Weathering, Erosion, and Deposition Weathering, Erosion, and Deposition Erosional and Depositional Landscapes Soil and Agriculture References Chapter 11: Maps Types of Geological Maps Standard Geological Maps Geological Hazards Maps Seismic Hazard Maps Paleogeographic Maps Soil Maps Groundwater or Potentiometric Surface Maps Structure Contour Maps Mineral Alteration Maps Isopach Maps and Overburden Thickness Maps A Resource Guide—Where to Find Maps and Imagery References Chapter 12: Acts of God? Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Other Natural Disasters Earthquakes and Tsunamis Where Do They Happen? Causes Man-Made Earthquakes Living in Earthquake Country Sources of Earthquake and Tsunami Information Landslides and Downslope Mass Movements Living in Landslide Country Sources of Landslide Information Volcanoes Living in Volcano Country Some “Dormant” Volcanoes Aren’t Sources of Volcano Hazard and Safety Information Flooding Living in Flood Country Sources of Flood Information Subsidence, Sinkholes, and Expanding Soils Living in Subsidence Country Sources of Subsidence, Sinkhole, and Swelling Soil Information Natural Pollution Sources of Information on Natural Pollution It Came from Outer Space! Sources of Information on Impacts References and General Reading Chapter 13: Groundwater The Hydrologic Cycle Finding Groundwater Groundwater Ownership Groundwater Mining and Sustainability Groundwater Contamination Frac’ing and Groundwater Hot Springs and Geothermal Energy References and General Reading Chapter 14: Oceans In the Beginning... How Deep Are They? What’s Down There? The Ocean Floor The Continental Shelf The Deep Seafloor Trenches Mid-Ocean Ridges Reference Chapter 15: Mineral Resources Metals Exploring for Mineral Deposits Energy Minerals Uranium Nuclear Waste Repositories Coal Nonmetallic Economic Minerals Gemstones Rare Earth Minerals Salt Potash Phosphates Sulfur Silica Calcium Carbonate Sand, Gravel, and Rock Building Stone (Dimension Stone) References Chapter 16: Black Gold (Texas Tea) How Is Oil Formed? Source Rocks Generation, Migration, and Entrapment Preservation and Destruction of Hydrocarbons Exploring for Hydrocarbons What about the Oil Sands? Production, Consumption, and the Price of Oil Remaining Reserves and Peak Oil References Chapter 17: Climate Change What We Know A Word about Models Lots of Moving Parts Role of the Sun The Atmosphere, Aerosols, and Greenhouse Gases Carbon Dioxide Methane Water Vapor Complex Interactions Role of the Oceans Currents The Ocean–Atmosphere Linked System Ocean Models The Land Surface Ice Sheets The Biosphere To Summarize The Worst-Case Scenario? References Chapter 18: So You Want to Be a Geologist What Does a Geologist Do? Resource Geology Environmental Geology Geological Engineering Marine Geology Geochemistry Geophysics Paleontology Geological Surveys and Government Agencies Academia Other Geologic Specialties Education Requirements High School University Undergraduate School Field Camp Graduate School Internships Professional Geologist Certification Starting Your Career Sources of Information References Index Chapter 1 Introduction -- chapter 2 Minerals -- chapter 3 Rocks -- chapter 4 Geologic Principles -- chapter 5 Deep Time -- chapter 6 Earth History -- chapter 7 Fossils -- chapter 8 Evolution -- chapter 9 The Changing Face of the Earth{u2014}Structure of the Earth, Plate Tectonics, and Mountain Building -- chapter 10 The Changing Face of the Earth{u2014}Weathering, Erosion, and Deposition -- chapter 11 Maps -- chapter 12 Acts of God? Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Other Natural Disasters -- chapter 13 Groundwater -- chapter 14 Oceans -- chapter 15 Mineral Resources -- chapter 16 Black Gold (Texas Tea) -- chapter 17 Climate Change -- chapter 18 So You Want to Be a Geologist "This practical guidebook provides a basic grounding in the principles of geology and explains how to apply them. Using this book, readers will be able to figure out whether they are standing on an ancient seafloor, coal swamp, or sand dune. They will be able to determine the geologic hazards in their neighborhood, where to look for fossils and minerals, or where best to drill a water well. In plain English, The Geology Companion sheds light on the processes that shape the earth and how geology affects people in their daily lives."-- Provided by publisher This practical guidebook provides a basic grounding in the principles of geology and explains how to apply them. Using this book, readers will be able to figure out whether they are standing on an ancient seafloor, coal swamp, or sand dune. They will be able to determine the geologic hazards in their neighborhood, where to look for fossils and minerals, or where best to drill a water well. In plain English, The Geology Companion sheds light on the processes that shape the earth and how geology affects people in their daily lives. -- Amazon