EARTH SCIENCE AND THE ENVIRONMENT uses the two themes of earth systems and environmental issues to provide a
rich overview of all Earth-related disciplines, including geology, meteorology, hydrology, oceanography, and astronomy.
Thompson and Turk provide a sense of how Earth functions as a single system composed of interacting subsystems.
This commitment to the Earth systems approach is integrated throughout the text and is emphasized graphically in
the chapter-ending thematic flow chart, "systems interactions", which illustrates the interconnectivity
of the Earth's four spheres (geosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere).
The text's other main emphasis, environmental issues, is integrated into the text throughout in both the authoritative
narrative and stunning multi-part visuals that emphasize the beauty of Earth science.
To further enrich the student experience, the new fourth edition is fully integrated, on a concept level and with
book-specific interactivities, with the ThomsonNOW� student tutorial system. Web-based, assessment-driven, and
completely flexible, the system offers a personalized learning plan based on a diagnostic pre-test to focus students'
attention on the concepts they don't yet understand. This superior teaching package, along with a text by an experienced
and dedicated author team, provides students with fun, interactive learning opportunities.
Table of Contents
1. Earth Systems.
Unit I. EARTH MATERIALS AND TIME.
2. Minerals.
3. Rocks.
4. Geologic Time. A Story in the Rocks.
5. Geologic Resources.
Unit II. INTERNAL PROCESSES.
6. The Active Earth. Plate Tectonics.
7. Earthquakes and the Earth's Structure.
8. Volcanoes and Plutons.
9. Mountains.
Unit III. SURFACE PROCESSES.
10. Weathering, Soil, and Erosion.
11. Fresh Water. Streams, Lakes, Ground Water, and Wetlands.
12. Water Resources.
13. Glaciers and Ice Ages.
14. Deserts and Wind.
Unit IV. THE OCEANS.
15. Ocean Basins.
16. Oceans and Coastlines.
Unit V. THE ATMOSPHERE.
17. The Atmosphere.
18. Energy Balance in the Atmosphere.
19. Moisture, Clouds, and Weather.
20. Climate.
21. Climate Change.
Unit VI. ASTRONOMY.
22. Motions in the Heavens.
23. Planets and their Moons.
24. Stars, Space, and Galaxies