For introductory courses in Earth Science in departments of Geology, Geography, Atmospheric Sciences, and Education. The twelfth edition ofEarth Scienceoffers a user-friendly overview of our physical environment with balanced, up-to-date coverage of geology, oceanography, astronomy, and meteorology for the undergraduate student with little background in science. The emphasis is on readability, with clear example-driven explanations. The twelfth edition takes full advantage of the subject's visual appeal, with discussions reinforced by incredible color photos and superb illustrations by Earth science illustrator and geologist Dennis Tasa.

1. Introduction to Earth Science What Is Earth Science? Earth Science, People, and the Environment The Nature of Scientific Inquiry Scales of Space and Time in Earth Science Early Evolution of Earth's Spheres A Closer Look at the Geosphere Earth As a System Box 1.1 Earth As a System: Earth's Place in the Cosmos Box 1.2 Understanding Earth: Studying Earth from Space

UNIT 1: EARTH MATERIALS 2. Minerals: Building Blocks of Rocks Minerals: The Building Blocks of Rocks Elements: The Building Blocks of Minerals Why Atoms Bond Properties of Minerals Mineral Groups Mineral Resources Box 2.1 People and the Environment: Making Glass from Minerals Box 2.2 Understanding Earth: Gemstones 3. Rocks: Materials of the Solid Earth Earth As a System: The Rock Cycle Igneous Rocks: "Formed by Fire" Sedimentary Rocks: Compacted and Cemented Sediment Metamorphic Rocks: New Rock from Old Resources from Rocks and Minerals Box 3.1 Earth As a System: The Carbon Cycle and Sedimentary Rocks Box 3.2 People and the Environment: United States Per Capita Use of Mineral and Energy Resources

UNIT 2: SCULPTURING EARTH'S SURFACE 4. Weathering, Soil, and Mass Wasting Earth's External Processes Weathering Mechanical Weathering Chemical Weathering Rates of Weathering Soil Controls of Soil Formation The Soil Profile Classifying Soils Soil Erosion Weathering Creates Ore Deposits Mass Wasting: The Work of Gravity Mass Wasting and Landform Development Controls and Triggers of Mass Wasting Classifying Mass-Wasting Processes Slump Rockslide Debris Flow Earthflow Slow Movements Box 4.1 Understanding Earth: The Old Man of the Mountain Box 4.2 People and the Environment: Debris Flows on Alluvial Fans: A Case Study from Venezuela 5: Running Water and Groundwater Earth as a System: The Hydrologic Cycle Running Water Streamflow The Work of Running Water Stream Channels Base Level and Stream Erosion Shaping Stream Valleys Depositional Landforms Drainage Patterns