Books in Extreme Earth series

In one moment, there’s a simple spark, and then roaring flames surge 200 feet into the air, devouring forests. Trees, from root to canopy, are burned to the ground. Airtankers and helicopters hover above, executing an air attack. Brave firefighters, equipped with flame resistant suits, leap from helicopters onto the treetops and descend to the blazing forest floor. In this book, young readers will learn about the ecological impacts of wildfires, the ins and outs of fire science including tactics for prevention and containment, cutting-edge technology used to track wildfires and predict fire behavior, and about the impressive skill, survival tactics, and bravery required to control a wildfire. Also included are expert tips, fun facts, and breathtaking photos taken by the author.

From Venezuela's Angel Falls, Earth's highest, to Victoria Falls, the smoke that thunders, here is an outstanding survey of the world's top 10 waterfalls. Detailing locations, sources, size, volume, and appearance, Waterfalls in addition includes material about each waterfall's geologic makeup, history, local climate, and people. Author Patricia Corrigan includes intriguing facts on other notable waterfalls, such as California's 400-foot Whiskeytown Falls, only discovered in 2005.

From Earth's two longest rivers, which flow through African deserts and Amazon jungles, to Siberia's great Yenisei-Angara river system, which drains into the Arctic Ocean, this appealing new book vividly brings the world's great waterways into focus. Students will discover how these rivers came to exist, their place in history, what makes each unusual, and current environmental challenges. In the Field sidebars cover such topics as monitoring salinity, measuring flow, drilling for oil, ice breakers in action, and more. Photographs, line illustrations, a scientific glossary, and resource listings for further information handsomely supplement the text.

Canyons chronicles the origins, history, and structure of the world's most breathtaking gorges, from North America's spectacular Grand Canyon to western Australia's exciting Windjana Gorge, where the Leonard River snakes its way through an ancient barrier reef. This book also discusses tectonic activity, undersea canyons, liquid rock, and pinpoints recent scientific studies and modern-day ecological challenges. Full-color and black-and-white photographs and line drawings, a glossary, and listings of resources for further study amplify the text and engage readers in the topic.