Synopses & Reviews
ESSENTIALS OF GEOLOGY, Fifth Edition, is a shorter, "less is more" version of Wicander and Monroe's PHYSICAL GEOLOGY text. In the same tradition, the authors present the material in a clear, consistent voice, appropriately focusing on the core concepts of physical geology, with an emphasis on plate tectonics and the dynamic nature of Earth. The engaging examples and images throughout the text enhance your understanding and appreciation of physical geology.
About the Author
Reed Wicander is a geology professor at Central Michigan University, where he teaches Physical Geology, Historical Geology, Prehistoric Life, and Invertebrate Paleontology and was previously chair of the department. He obtained his B.A. at San Diego State University and his Ph.D. at UCLA. His main research interests involve various aspects of Paleozoic palynology, specifically the study of acritarchs, on which he has published numerous papers. He is a past president of the American Association of Stratigraphic Palynologists and currently a councilor of the International Federation of Palynological Societies and chair of the Acritarch Subcommission of the Commission Internationale de Microflore du Paleozoique. He has coauthored several geology textbooks with James S. Monroe. James S. Monroe is Professor Emeritus of Geology at Central Michigan University, where he taught Physical Geology, Historical Geology, Prehistoric Life, and Stratigraphy and Sedimentology beginning in 1975 and served as chair of the Geology department. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Montana. He has coauthored several textbooks with Reed Wicander and has interests in Cenozoic geology and geologic education. Monroe now lives in Chico, California, where he remains active in geology by teaching courses to a large group of retirees.
Table of Contents
1. Understanding Earth: A Dynamic and Evolving Planet 2. Plate Tectonics: A Unifying Theory 3. Minerals--The Building Blocks of Rocks 4. Igneous Rocks and Intrusive Igneous Activity 5. Volcanoes and Volcanism 6. Weathering, Soil, and Sedimentary Rock 7. Metamorphism and Metamorphic Rocks 8. Earthquakes and Earths Interior 9. The Seafloor 10. Deformation, Mountain Building, and the Continents 11. Mass Wasting 12. Running Water 13. Groundwater 14. Glaciers and Glaciation 15. The Work of Wind and Deserts 16. Shorelines and Shoreline Processes 17. Geologic Time: Concepts and Principles