Explore how scientists reveal the story of our planet, from its distant origins to the present day.
The book opens a broad, accessible view of geological science. It explains why studying the Earth matters, how ideas about its past and present fit together, and how our understanding has changed over time. You’ll encounter the big questions about climate, continents, oceans, and life, all tied to evidence you can examine—rocks, fossils, and the planet’s history.
Through a assembling of classic and contemporary writings, this edition frames the scope of the field, highlights major concepts, and shows how scientists build explanations that endure and evolve. It stresses that the present is best understood in light of the past, and that new discoveries bring fresh questions about the Earth’s development.
- Learn how geologists trace Earth’s age, processes, and interior structure.
- See how climate, ice ages, and ocean circulation connect to global change.
- Explore how evidence from rocks, fossils, and ocean cores informs theories.
- Discover the relationship between geology and broader scientific knowledge.
Ideal for readers new to geology and for anyone curious about how our planet has reached its present form.