Applications and Investigations in Earth Science

This versatile and adaptable collection of introductory-level laboratory experiences goes beyond traditional offerings to examine the basic principles and concepts of the Earth sciences. Widely praised for its concise coverage and dynamic illustrations by Dennis Tasa, the text contains twenty-three step-by-step exercises that reinforce major topics in geology, oceanography, meteorology, and astronomy.

Fred Lutgens and Ed Tarbuck have been good friends and colleagues since 1970.  Between them, they have more than 57 years of experience teaching geology to undergraduates, and both have been recognized with awards as excellent and inspiring professors.  They share a special interest in introducing geology to beginning students and a belief in the value of field experiences for students of all levels.
 
Lutgens and Tarbuck published their first college text, Earth Science, in 1976.  That book, winner of the McGuffy Award from the Text and Academic Authors Association, is now going into its tenth edition.  In 1983, as the first edition of Earth was being prepared, gifted geology illustrator Dennis Tasa joined the author team.  Since then the three have collaborated on more than twenty projects.  Not only do Tarbuck, Lutgens, and Tasa work well together creatively; they also enjoy spending time in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains near Tasa’s New Mexico studio.
 
Tarbuck enjoys downhill skiing in Colorado, fly fishing near his childhood home in Northern Minnesota, and spending time in the Cascades.  Lutgens is an avid runner, and when he can make the time, truly enjoys hiking the canyons of the Colorado Plateau.  Although Lutgens and Tarbuck think alike on many issues, they don’t agree on everything.  Lutgens is devoted to jazz and classical music, whereas Tarbuck prefers pop artists or a good country station.

Part 1 Geology
Exercise 1: The Study of Minerals
Exercise 2: Rocks and the Rock Cycle
Exercise 3: Aerial Photographs, Satellite Images, and Topographic Maps
Exercise 4: Shaping Earth’s Surface–Running Water and Groundwater
Exercise 5: Shaping Earth’s Surface–Arid and Glacial Landscapes
Exercise 6: Geologic Time
Exercise 7: Geologic Maps and Structures
Exercise 8: Earthquakes and Earth’s Interior

Part 2 Oceanography
Exercise 9: Introduction to Oceanography
Exercise 10: The Dynamic Ocean Floor
Exercise 11: Waves, Currents, and Tides

Part 3 Meteorology
Exercise 12: Earth–Sun Relationships
Exercise 13: Heating the Atmosphere
Exercise 14: Atmospheric Moisture, Pressure, and Wind
Exercise 15: Air Masses, the Middle-Latitude Cyclone, and Weather Maps
Exercise 16: Global Climates

Part 4 Astronomy
Exercise 17: Astronomical Observations
Exercise 18: Patterns in the Solar System
Exercise 19: Locating the Planets
Exercise 20: Examining the Terrestrial Planets
Exercise 21: The Moon and the Sun

Part 5 Earth Science Skills
Exercise 22: Location and Distance on Earth
Exercise 23: The Metric System, Measurements, and Scientific Inquiry