Physical geology is the study of the earth's rocks, minerals, an dsoils and how they have formed through time. Complex internal processes such as plate tectonics and mountain-building have formed these rocks and brought them to the earth's surface . Earthquakes are the result of the sudden movement of crustal plates, releasing internal energy that becomes destructive at the surface. Internal heat and energy are released also through volcanic eruptions. External processes such as glaciation, running water, weathering, and erosion have formed the landscapes we see today. <...>

One excellent reason is that it’s tried and true. Physical Geology: Earth Revealed is a classic in introductory geology classes that has evolved into a market-leading text read by thousands of students. Proportionately, geology instructors have relied on this text for over 5,000 courses to explain,  illustrate, and exemplify basic geologic concepts to both majors and nonmajors. Today, the 9th edition continues to provide contemporary perspectives that reflect current research, recent natural disasters, unmatched illustrations, and unparalleled learning aids. We have worked closely with  contributors, reviewers, and our editors to publish the most accurate and current text possible.  <...>

One excellent reason is that it's tried and true. Physical Geology: Earth Revealed is a classic in introductory geology classes that has evolved into a market-leading text read by thousands of students. Proportionately, geol- ogy instructors have relied on this text to explain, illustrate, and exemplify basic geologic concepts to both majors and non-majors. Today, the 7th edition continues to provide contemporary perspectives that reflect current research, recent natural disasters, unmatched illustrations, and unparalleled learning aids. We have worked closely with contributors, reviewers, and our editors to publish the most accurate and current text possible. The most exciting element of the new edition is the presentation of 300+ new illustrations, created by the artistic skill of Cindy Shaw. Ideas that shaped the development and articulation of new figures resulted from the numerous recommendations of a group of geology instructors. <...>

The Earth is a dynamic planet that has changed contin- uously during its 4.6 billion years of existence. The size, shape, and geographic distribution of the continents and ocean basins have changed through time, as have the atmosphere and biota. Over the past 20 years, bold new theories and discoveries concerning the Earth's origin and how it works have sparked a renewed interest in geology. We have become increasingly aware of how fragile our planet is and, more importantly, how inter- dependent all of its various systems are. We have learned
that we cannot continually pollute our environment and that our natural resources are limited and, in most cases, nonrenewable. Furthermore, we are coming to realize how central geology is to our everyday lives. For these and other reasons, geology is one of the most important college or university courses a student can take. <...>