For introductory courses in Earth Science in departments of Geology, Geography, Atmospheric Sciences, and Education.

The twelfth edition of Earth Science offers a user-friendly overview of our physical environment with balanced, up-to-date coverage of geology, oceanography, astronomy, and meteorology for the undergraduate student with little background in science.  The emphasis is on readability, with clear example-driven explanations.  The twelfth edition takes full advantage of the subject’s visual appeal, with discussions reinforced by incredible color photos and superb illustrations by Earth science illustrator and geologist Dennis Tasa.

1. Introduction to Earth Science

UNIT 1: EARTH MATERIALS

2. Minerals: Building Blocks of Rocks

3. Rocks: Materials of the Solid Earth

UNIT 2: SCULPTURING EARTH’S SURFACE

4. Weathering, Soil, and Mass Wasting

5. Running Water and Groundwater

6. Glaciers, Deserts, and Wind

7. Plate Tectonics: A Scientific Theory Unfolds

8. Earthquakes and Earth’s Interior

9. Volcanoes and Other Igneous Activity

10. Mountain Building

UNIT 4: DECIPHERING EARTH’S HISTORY

11. Geologic History

12. Earth's Evolution through Geologic Time

 UNIT 5: THE GLOBAL OCEAN

13. The Ocean Floor

14. Ocean Water and Ocean Life

15. The Dynamic Ocean

UNIT 6:  EARTH'S DYNAMIC ATMOSPHERE

16. The Atmosphere: Composition, Structure, and Temperature

17.  Moisture, Clouds, and Precipitation

18. Air Pressure and Wind

19. Weather Patterns and Severe Storms

20. World Climates and Global Climate Change

UNIT 7: EARTH’S PLACE IN THE UNIVERSE

21. Origin of Modern Astronomy

22. Touring Our Solar System

23. Light, Astronomical Observations, and the Sun

24. Beyond Our Solar System