Earth Science / Edition 15

by Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa

Overview

For introductory courses in earth science.

Use dynamic media to bring Earth Science to life

Earth Science answers the need for a straightforward text that excites readers about the world around them. Perfect for individuals with little-to-no background in science, the text covers geology, oceanography, meteorology, and astronomy clearly and without technical jargon. Tarbuck, Lutgens, and Tasa are praised for their uncomplicated writing, dynamic media that help visualize physical processes, stunning art program that brings the “wow” factor, and valuable activities in Mastering Geology that provide activity-based learning to solidify readers’ understanding. The 15th Edition incorporates the latest data and applications from Earth Science, new data analysis activities, and an updated dynamic mobile media and Mastering Geology program.

Also available as a Pearson eText or packaged with Mastering Geology

Pearson eText is a simple-to-use, mobile-optimized, personalized reading experience that can be adopted on its own as the main course material. It lets students highlight, take notes, and review key vocabulary all in one place, even when offline. Seamlessly integrated videos and other rich media engage students and give them access to the help they need, when they need it. Educators can easily share their own notes with students so they see the connection between their eText and what they learn in class – motivating them to keep reading, and keep learning.

Mastering combines trusted author content with digital tools and a flexible platform to personalize the learning experience and improve results for each student.Built for, and directly tied to the text, Mastering Geology enables an extension of learning, allowing students a platform to practice, learn, and apply outside of the classroom.

Note: You are purchasing a standalone book; Pearson eText and Mastering Geology do not come packaged with this content. Students, ask your instructor for the correct package ISBN and Course ID. Instructors, contact your Pearson representative for more information.

If your instructor has assigned Pearson eText as your main course material, search for:
• 0135213223 / 9780135213223 Pearson eText Earth Science, 15/e -- Access Card
OR
• 0135213215 / 9780135213216 Pearson eText Earth Science, 15/e -- Instant Access

If you would like to purchase both the physical text and Mastering Geology search for:

013460993X / 9780134609935 Earth Science Plus Mastering Geology with eText -- Access Card Package

Package consists of:

• 013454353X / 9780134543536 Earth Science
• 013460993X / 9780134609935Mastering Geology with Pearson eText -- ValuePack Access Card -- for Earth Science

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780134543536
Publisher:	Pearson
Publication date:	09/14/2017
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	800
Sales rank:	548,406
Product dimensions:	9.50(w) x 10.80(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

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 15th edition. In 1983, as the 1st edition of Earth was being prepared, gifted geology illustrator Dennis Tasa joined the author team. Since then the three have collaborated on more than 20 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.

Read an Excerpt

PREFACE:

Preface

Earth is a very small part of a vast universe, but it is our home. It provides the resources that support our modem society and the ingredients necessary to maintain life. Therefore, a knowledge and understanding of our planet is critical to our social well being and indeed, vital to our survival.

In recent years, media reports have made us increasingly aware of our place in the universe and the forces at work in our physical environment. We are also beginning to learn that human interactions with natural systems can upset delicate balances. News stories inform us of new discoveries in the solar system and beyond. Daily reports remind us of the destruction caused by hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, and landslides. We have been made aware of ozone depletion, potential global warming, and growing environmental concerns about the oceans. To comprehend, prepare for, and solve these and other concerns requires an awareness of how science is done and the scientific principles that influence our planet, its rocks, mountains, atmosphere, and oceans.

Earth Science, ninth edition, like its predecessors, is a college-level text designed for an introductory course that often has the same name as this text. It consists of four units that emphasize broad and up-to-date coverage of basic topics and principles in geology, oceanography, meteorology, and astronomy. The book is intended to be a meaningful, non-technical survey for undergraduate students with little background in science. Usually these students are taking an Earth science class to meet a portion of their college's or university's general requirements.

In addition tobeing informative and up-to-date, a major goal of Earth Science is to meet the need of beginning students for a readable and user-friendly text, a book that is a highly usable "tool" for learning basic Earth science principles and concepts.

Distinguishing Features

Readability

The language of this book is straightforward and written to be understood. Clear, readable discussions with a minimum of technical language are the rule. The frequent headings and subheadings help students follow discussions and identify the important ideas presented in each chapter. In the ninth edition, improved readability was achieved by examining chapter organization and flow, and writing in a more personal style. Large portions of the text were substantially rewritten in an effort to make the material more understandable.

Illustrations and Photographs

The Earth sciences are highly visual. Therefore, photographs and artwork are a very important part of an introductory book. Earth Science, ninth edition, contains dozens of new high-quality photographs that were carefully selected to aid understanding, add realism, and heighten the interest of the reader.

The illustrations in each new edition of Earth Science keep getting better and better. In the ninth edition more than 100 pieces of line art were redesigned. The new art illustrates ideas and concepts more clearly and realistically than ever before. The art program was carried out by Dennis Tasa, a gifted artist and respected Earth science illustrator.

Focus on Learning

New to the ninth edition: To assist student learning, every chapter now concludes with a Chapter Summary. When a chapter has been completed, three useful devices help students review. First, the Chapter Summary recaps all of the major points. Next is a checklist of Key Terms with page references. Learning the language of Earth science helps students learn the material. This is followed by Review Questions that help students examine their knowledge of significant facts and ideas. Each chapter closes with some suggested Web sites for further exploration. Moreover, students are reminded to visit the all-new and greatly improved Web site for Earth Science, ninth edition (...

Table of Contents

1. Introduction to Earth Science


PART 1: EARTH MATERIALS
2. Matter and Minerals
3. Rocks: Materials of the Solid Earth


PART 2: FORCES WITHIN
4. Plate Tectonics: A Scientific Revolution Unfolds
5. Earthquakes and Earth’s Interior
6. Volcanoes and Other Igneous Activity
7. Crustal Deformation and Mountain Building


PART 3: SCULPTING THE EARTH’S SURFACE
8. Weathering, Soil, and Mass Movement
9. Running Water and Groundwater
10. Glaciers, Deserts, and Wind


PART 4: DECIPHERING EARTH’S HISTORY
11. Geologic Time
12. Earth’s Evolution Through Geologic Time

PART 5: THE GLOBAL OCEAN

13. The Ocean Floor

14. Ocean Water and Ocean Life

15. The Dynamic Ocean

PART 6: EARTH’S DYNAMIC ATMOSPHERE

16. The Atmosphere: Composition, Structure, and Temperature

17. Moisture, Clouds, and Precipitation

18. Air Pressure and Wind

19. Weather Patterns and Severe Storms

20. World Climates and Global Climate Change

PART 7: EARTH’S PLACE IN THE UNIVERSE

21. Origins of Modern Astronomy

22. Touring Our Solar System

23. Light, Telescopes, and the Sun

24. Beyond Our Solar System

APPENDICES

A. Metric and English Units Compared

B. Relative Humidity and Dew-Point Tables

Preface

PREFACE:

Preface

Earth is a very small part of a vast universe, but it is our home. It provides the resources that support our modem society and the ingredients necessary to maintain life. Therefore, a knowledge and understanding of our planet is critical to our social well being and indeed, vital to our survival.

In recent years, media reports have made us increasingly aware of our place in the universe and the forces at work in our physical environment. We are also beginning to learn that human interactions with natural systems can upset delicate balances. News stories inform us of new discoveries in the solar system and beyond. Daily reports remind us of the destruction caused by hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, and landslides. We have been made aware of ozone depletion, potential global warming, and growing environmental concerns about the oceans. To comprehend, prepare for, and solve these and other concerns requires an awareness of how science is done and the scientific principles that influence our planet, its rocks, mountains, atmosphere, and oceans.

Earth Science, ninth edition, like its predecessors, is a college-level text designed for an introductory course that often has the same name as this text. It consists of four units that emphasize broad and up-to-date coverage of basic topics and principles in geology, oceanography, meteorology, and astronomy. The book is intended to be a meaningful, non-technical survey for undergraduate students with little background in science. Usually these students are taking an Earth science class to meet a portion of their college's or university's general requirements.

In additiontobeing informative and up-to-date, a major goal of Earth Science is to meet the need of beginning students for a readable and user-friendly text, a book that is a highly usable "tool" for learning basic Earth science principles and concepts.

Distinguishing Features

Readability

The language of this book is straightforward and written to be understood. Clear, readable discussions with a minimum of technical language are the rule. The frequent headings and subheadings help students follow discussions and identify the important ideas presented in each chapter. In the ninth edition, improved readability was achieved by examining chapter organization and flow, and writing in a more personal style. Large portions of the text were substantially rewritten in an effort to make the material more understandable.

Illustrations and Photographs

The Earth sciences are highly visual. Therefore, photographs and artwork are a very important part of an introductory book. Earth Science, ninth edition, contains dozens of new high-quality photographs that were carefully selected to aid understanding, add realism, and heighten the interest of the reader.

The illustrations in each new edition of Earth Science keep getting better and better. In the ninth edition more than 100 pieces of line art were redesigned. The new art illustrates ideas and concepts more clearly and realistically than ever before. The art program was carried out by Dennis Tasa, a gifted artist and respected Earth science illustrator.

Focus on Learning

New to the ninth edition: To assist student learning, every chapter now concludes with a Chapter Summary. When a chapter has been completed, three useful devices help students review. First, the Chapter Summary recaps all of the major points. Next is a checklist of Key Terms with page references. Learning the language of Earth science helps students learn the material. This is followed by Review Questions that help students examine their knowledge of significant facts and ideas. Each chapter closes with some suggested Web sites for further exploration. Moreover, students are reminded to visit the all-new and greatly improved Web site for Earth Science, ninth edition (...

Editorial Reviews

A textbook for an introductory undergraduate course for students who have little background in science and may be taking the course to satisfy the school's breadth requirements. Covers the four primary disciplines of geology, oceanography, meteorology, and astronomy. Much color is used, sometimes strikingly, throughout for illustrations and graphs. The CD-ROM contains a dynamic program that reinforces key concepts with animations, tutorials, and interactive exercises. Considerable support material is available for instructors. The editions between 1976 and 1982 were published by Merrill and those in 1991 and 1994 by Macmillan; the previous edition was in 1998. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews