Earth's Dynamic Systems

There are two major pathways for the flow of energy and matter on Earth: (1) the hydrologic system-the circulation of water over Earth's surface and through its atmosphere powered by energy from the Sun, and (2) the tectonic system-the movement of material powered by heat from Earth's interior. These two unifying themes form the backbone of Earth's Dynamic Systems, providing a logical, well-crafted, spectacularly illustrated introduction to physical geology. NEW TO THIS EDITION: GeoLogic-Geologists have a unique way of "reading" the landscape and rocks. These essays illustrate in words and images how modern geologists interpret the world around us. Updated and Enhanced Student CD-ROM: Includes dozens of high-quality animations, photographs, and videos. bull; bull;Guided Tours: These animated tours of Earth's major landforms illustrate key concepts in a way the printed word and still pictures cannot. bull;Slideshows: Written and photographed by the AUTHORs, the slideshows expand on the text with additional photographs and explanations. bull;Videos and animations: Gathered from geologists around the world, these illustrate both fundamental concepts and how modern geologists study Earth

Planet Earth was first photographed from space more than 30 years ago by the astronauts of theApollomission. Since then a variety of satellites have given us supernatural eyes in space. With sophisticated sensors we can "see" through clouds, observe the surface features on the ocean floor, and selectively image temperature, water vapor, ocean currents, and even patterns of ancient river systems now buried beneath the sand of the Sahara Desert. New technology has permitted us to penetrate deep into the interior of our planet and X ray its internal structure. We can now "see" hot material in the interior moving in huge convection cells, creating ocean basins, volcanic islands, and mountain systems. With this era of enlightenment comes an increased awareness of how our planet is continually changing and a fresh awareness of how fragile it is. Earth is a finite sphere with limited resources, so it is impossible for the population to grow indefinitely. We may find more oil, gas, and coal by improved detection methods, yet nature requires more than a million years to concentrate the oil now consumed in only one year. We have created nuclear waste, yet are unsure how to dispose of it safely. What can we do about the fact that rivers today transport more agricultural and industrial waste than natural sediment? Is greenhouse heating real? The answers to these questions can be found only if we understand Earth's dynamic systems with their many interdependent and interconnected components. There are two major pathways for the flow of energy and matter on the planet: (1) the hydrologic system--the circulation of water over Earth's surface and through its atmosphere powered by energy from the Sun, and (2) the tectonic system--the movement of material powered by heat from Earth's interior. Everything discussed in this book is related to these unifying themes. The tenth edition ofEarth's Dynamic Systemsintroduces these systems and will help students to understand and participate in the solutions to some of these problems. It is written for students taking their first college course in physical geology at both two- and four-year schools. This Edition This book was significantly revised to make it a more effective learning tool. We have reinforced the themes of the book by dividing it into four parts. In Part I, we discuss Earth's materials and how they are created by geologic systems. In Part II, we discuss the hydrologic system by examining subsystems chapter by chapter. Plate tectonics is the theme of Part IV, with separate chapters on divergent, transform, and convergent boundaries, as well as mantle plumes--the subsystems of the tectonic system. In Part IV, we look back and apply the principles learned to see how Earth's resources formed and just how different our home in space is when compared with other planets. The focus on the hydrologic and tectonic systems is captured in the cover illustrations, which symbolize the energy sources--heat from the Sun and heat from Earth's interior--that drive our dynamic planet. Our major new thrust is the introduction of a series of essays that illustrate the scientific method. We call these summary messages Geologic, as we attempt to show the logic behind using simple observations to come to important conclusions about the way Earth works. We have designed new illustrations to take students from "seeing" to "understanding." The State of the Art sections have been retained. We attempt to distill the important techniques used in modern geology into a few words and couple them with some of the most spectacular and informative images available today. In these short essays, we show how geologists come to understand the world around us, emphasizing not just "what we know" but "how we know" it as well. We strive to present a new perspective in visualizing geology by using panoramic ph