About the book

For Introductory Physical Geology Courses From the renowned Lutgens/Tarbuck/Tasa team, the 12th Edition of Essentials of Geology continues to elevate its readability, art program, focus on basic principles and instructor flexibility. This revision incorporates what has historically made the text a best seller with a new active learning approach throughout each chapter, which offers students a structured learning path and provides a reliable, consistent framework for mastering the chapter concepts. It also includes new additions to its learning path, mobile field trips, and visual program.

Content:

1 An Introduction to Geology

2 Plate Tectonics: A Scientific Revolution Unfolds

3 Matter and Minerals

4 Igneous Rocks and Intrusive Activity

5 Volcanoes and Volcanic Hazards

6 Weathering and Soils

7 Sedimentary Rocks

8 Metamorphism and Metamorphic Rocks

9 Earthquakes and Earth’s Interior

10 Origin and Evolution of the Ocean Floor

11 Crustal Deformation and Mountain Building

12 Mass Wasting: The Work of Gravity

13 Running Water

14 Groundwater

15 Glaciers and Glaciation

16 Deserts and Wind

17 Shorelines

18 Geologic Time

19 Earth’s Evolution through Geologic Time

20 Global Climate Change