It is necessary for those using this book to have some fundamental understanding of the basics of rock engineering. In this chapter, the basics will be explained in a simplified manner while the formal scientific treatment can be found in Appendix A. Some mathematics have to be used, but the more complex equations will be avoided. Another important element of the chapter is to define some of the terms that are used in the rest of the book. To avoid confusion later, it is necessary to provide this material first.

Geophysical methods play a vital role in exploring both the Earth’s surface and its subsurface, addressing complex challenges across the lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and cryosphere. Recent advancements in observational systems and computational techniques have significantly enhanced the effectiveness of these methods. Nonetheless, geoscientists continue to face the challenge of accurately detecting deep‑seated structures by estimating the physical parameters of different subsurface layers.

This book has been written for those studying petroleum geology or engineering, for whom the role of the petrophysicist can become a lucrative and satisfying career. The handbook will be equally useful to students and practioners of environmental science and hydrogeology, where the understanding of groundwater flow is an important part of their technical remit.

At a time when the DNA of Neanderthal Man has been sequenced and Jurassic World hints at possible future breakthroughs, however improbable, fossils have an undoubtedly high profile. Collecting fossils is a popular hobby. There is a wealth of helpful literature and websites which will help you to put an accurate name on your latest find, and to identify the various component parts of the skeleton.

Laboratory Manual in Physical Geology is the most widely adopted, user-friendly manual available for teaching laboratories in introductory geology and geoscience. The manual has been produced under the auspices of the American Geological Institute (AG1) and the National Association of Geoscience Teachers (NAGT). It is backed up by an Internet site, GeoTools (ruler, protractor, UTM grids, sediment grain size scale, etc.), Instructor Resource Guide, Instructor Transparency Set, and an Instructor Resource Center (IRC) on CD-ROM.

Laboratory Manual in Physical Geology is the most widely adopted, user-friendly manual available for teaching laboratories in introductory geology and geoscience. The manual has been produced under the auspices of the American Geological Institute (AGI) and the National Association of Geoscience Teachers (NAGT). It is backed up by an Internet site, GeoTools (ruler, protractor, UTM grids, sediment grain-size scale, etc.), Instructor Resource Guide, Instructor Slide Set, Instructor Transparency Set, and a Digital Image Gallery (DIGIT) CD-ROM.'

The investigation of stratiform/stratabound ore deposits associated with sediments and volcanics and ranging in age from Precambrian to Recent, has become a specialized branch within the wider scope of ore petrology. It is, by all means, not an entirely new field of endeavour and it has always had a place in economic geology, but an accelerated shift in both individualized and collective efforts in the study of the stratiform mineral accumulations has resulted in a large amount of dispersed data.

Several instructors have contributed to the evolution of this laboratory manual over the years. Contributors include, alphabetically, Maurice G. Cook, Emeritus Professor of Soil Science, North Carolina State University; David A. Crouse, Associate Professor of Soil Science, North Carolina State University; Larry D. King, Emeritus Professor of Soil Science, North Carolina State University; H. Joseph Kleiss, Emeritus Professor of Soil Science, North Carolina State University; Colby J. Moorberg, Assistant Professor of Soil Science, Kansas State University; Lloyd Stone, Emeritus Professor of Agronomy, Kansas State University; and James A. Thompson, Professor of Soil Science, West Virginia University. Editorial support was provided by Nora Ransom. Contributions were also made by countless graduate teaching assistants over the development of the manual. Funding was provided by the Kansas State University Open/Alternative Textbook Initiative. This is contribution no. 18-128-B of the Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station <...>

The pu rpose of th is exercise is to take the student into the field to dig in soils, to appreciate the characteristics of soil differences outlined in pages 1-40 of the textbook. This exercise can consist of several short field trips, or several half-days of describing different soils according to the format given on pages 8 and 10 of the textbook.