Books in Geology: Landforms, Minerals, and Rocks series

The planets natural dips and elevations, slopes and structures, stud the worlds landscapes and enrich its panoramas. However, the Earths landforms should not be viewed as anomalies in its topography; rather, they are often invaluable components of ecosystems and hold significant clues to the natural forces that fashion our environment. This comprehensive volume examines the various landformsfrom mountains to caves to glaciersthat can be found across the globe. The processes that shape each formation are also detailed within these pages.

Anyone who has marveled at the glimmer of a perfectly cut diamond, tended a garden, or consumed a nutritious meal has appreciated some of the many roles that minerals play in our lives. Present in many natural substances, minerals are highly structured entities, each with a unique chemical composition and set of properties. Accompanied by detailed tables, diagrams, and sidebars, this informative volume examines the various types of minerals and their structures and classifications, as well as the physical and chemical attributes that separate one mineral from another.

Minerals and rocks are remnants of the planet’s most ancient history and custodians of its geologic secrets. While a great deal remains to be discovered about Earth’s origins and the earliest stages of its development, much of its past is indelibly chronicled in the inorganic material that comprises its surface and transforms its landscapes. These intriguing volumes examine the basic components of the planet—from topographic landforms to the molten rocks at Earth’s core—and the geologic processes that affect them, as well as the various disciplines dedicated to deciphering these relationships. • Illustrations highlight key structures and concepts • Charts detail significant landforms and mineral types • Informative sidebars examine related concepts and ideas