Earth Science Made Simple PDF
Preview Earth Science Made Simple
Edward F. Albin, Ph. A clear introduction to the science of our planet Boston Public Library Boston, MAC2116 EARTH SCIENCE MADE SIMPLE Edward F. Albin, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Astronomy Agnes Scott College and Astronomer/Planetary Geologist Fernbank Science Center with Frances Chamberlain Illustrated by Scott Nurkin THDRAWN No longer the property of the Boston Public Library. of this material benefits the Library. BOOKS A Made Simple Book Broadway Books New York Produced by The Philip Lief Group, Inc. EARTH SCIENCE MADE SIMPLE. Copyright © 2004 by Broadway Books, a division of Random House, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher. For information, address: Broadway Books, a division of Random House, Inc., 1745 Broadway, New York, NY 10019. Printed in the United States of America. Produced by The Philip Lief Group, Inc. Managing Editors: Judy Linden, Jill Korot. Design: Annie Jeon. MADE SIMPLE BOOKS and BROADWAY BOOKS are trademarks of Broadway Books, a division of Randorp House, Inc. 1 . ‘ , ■■ - <§ < if Visit our web site at www.broadwaybooks.com. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Albin, Edward F. Earth science made simple: a clear introduction to the science of our planet / by Edward F. Albin with Frances Chamberlain: produced by The Philip Lief Group, Inc. p. cm.— (Made simple) Includes index. ISBN 0-7679-1703-0 I. Earth sciences. I. Chamberlain, Frances. II. Philip Lief Group. III.Title. IV. Made simple (Broadway books) QE28.A38 2004 550—dc22 2004054438 10 98765432 I For Nancie & Lauren Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2019 with funding from Kahle/Austin Foundation https://archive.org/details/earthsciencemadeOOOOalbi ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Earth Science is a broad field of endeavor- Frances Chamberlain is to be highly com¬ covering many distinct disciplines within the mended for taking the initial drafts of the realm of science. To be sure, writing a popu¬ text and then molding them into a readable lar book on the subject is not an easy task. style—conforming my writing into the popu¬ Without the assistance of my colleagues and lar "Made Simple" format. Jill Korot, of the thoughtful editors this project would not Philip Fief Group, was particularly helpful have been possible. Over the past year, as this in coordinating the editing and final layout work came to completion, many people have of the manuscript. Scott Nurkin created helped—lending their time and kind sugges¬ all of the illustrations that assist the reader tions. In particular, I'd like to thank my col¬ in following my descriptions of everything— leagues at Agnes Scott College and Fernbank from volcanoes to asteroids. Finally, I'd like Science Center for their encouragement and to thank my immediate family, my wife patient assistance. Over a generation of stu¬ Nancie and daughter Fauren, who were dents, at both institutions, has served as a always there, graciously giving me the neces¬ valuable resource that has guided me toward sary time for research in order to put my more effective teaching/writing techniques. thoughts into words. CONTENTS Introduction 1 PART I GEOLOGY Chapter I Minerals 5 What Is a Mineral? Chemistry Primer Elements of the Earth's Crust Crystal Structure Crystal Systems Mineral Groups Seven Groups of Minerals Physical Properties of Minerals Economic Value of Minerals Summary Chapter 2 Rocks 14 What Is a Rock? Igneous Rocks Metamorphic Rocks Sedimentary Rocks Summary Chapter 3 Plate Tectonics 21 Continental Drift Theory How Earth Moves Earth's Interior Earthquakes and Seismic Energy Seismic Waves Richter Scale Divergent Plate Boundaries Convergent Plate Boundaries Transform Plate Boundaries and Seamount Chains Summary viii CONTENTS Chapter 4 Geologic Processes 30 Surface-Modifying Processes Volcanism Fluvial or Water-Modifying Forces Aeolian Processes Glacial Processes Mass Wasting or Gravitational Processes Summary Chapter 5 Geologic Time 43 How Old Is Earth? Relative Age Dating Absolute Age Dating Geologic Time Scale Summary PART II OCEANOGRAPHY Chapter 6 Ocean Composition and Layering 53 Origins of the Ocean A Brief History of Oceanography The World's Oceans Earth's Seas and Lakes Properties and Composition of Seawater Layered Structure of Oceans Oceanic Resources Ocean Pollution Summary Chapter 7 Seafloor 65 The Submarine Landscape Continental Margins Basin Floor Mid-Oceanic Ridges Oceanic Trenches Seamounts Seafloor Sediments Summary
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