Visualizing Geology [With Access Code]

by Barbara W. Murck, Brian J. Skinner, Dana Mackenzie

Book Overview

Offering a visually engaging approach, this book helps readers become "geologically literate" with a sound understanding of basic geologic processes and the environmental ramifications of Earth's systems. It introduces plate tectonics early and incorporates numerous illustrations and photos to make the difficult concepts easier to comprehend. Readers will also benefit from the structured and effective format and accessible writing style.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0471747270
• ISBN13: 9780471747277
• Release Date: January 2007
• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
• Length: 524 Pages
• Weight: 3.14 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 9.1" x 10.8"

Customer Reviews

A great introduction to geology

Visualizing Geology was written as a textbook for introductory college geology. I read it for enjoyment and was delighted with the book's organization and style. The authors have a remarkable understanding of what a neophyte (like me) will comprehend and find interesting. They augment comparatively brief descriptions with outstanding photos, diagrams and drawings. The result is a quick and clear presentation of concepts and phenomena. Particularly wonderful is the section on metamorphic rock. The pictorial approach is at its best explaining the conditions and forces turning shale to slate to phyllite and on to schist and gneiss. Another highlight is the second to last chapter - a discussion of the 'co-development' of the lithosphere and biosphere. My only regret is that they don't go into a little more detail explaining evidence for and principles underlying certain geological processes. It's as though they sometimes stop just short of the punchline. But then it is an introductory text.