Table Of ContentEdward F. Albin, Ph.
A clear introduction to the science of our planet
Boston Public Library
Boston, MAC2116
EARTH SCIENCE
MADE SIMPLE
Edward F. Albin, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Astronomy
Agnes Scott College
and
Astronomer/Planetary Geologist
Fernbank Science Center
with
Frances Chamberlain
Illustrated by Scott Nurkin
THDRAWN
No longer the property of the
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of this material benefits the Library.
BOOKS
A Made Simple Book
Broadway Books
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Produced by The Philip Lief Group, Inc.
EARTH SCIENCE MADE SIMPLE. Copyright © 2004
by Broadway Books, a division of Random House, Inc.
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Albin, Edward F.
Earth science made simple: a clear introduction to the science of our planet / by Edward
F. Albin with Frances Chamberlain: produced by The Philip Lief Group, Inc.
p. cm.— (Made simple)
Includes index.
ISBN 0-7679-1703-0
I. Earth sciences. I. Chamberlain, Frances. II. Philip Lief Group. III.Title. IV. Made
simple (Broadway books)
QE28.A38 2004
550—dc22
2004054438
10 98765432 I
For Nancie & Lauren
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2019 with funding from
Kahle/Austin Foundation
https://archive.org/details/earthsciencemadeOOOOalbi
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Earth Science is a broad field of endeavor- Frances Chamberlain is to be highly com¬
covering many distinct disciplines within the mended for taking the initial drafts of the
realm of science. To be sure, writing a popu¬ text and then molding them into a readable
lar book on the subject is not an easy task. style—conforming my writing into the popu¬
Without the assistance of my colleagues and lar "Made Simple" format. Jill Korot, of the
thoughtful editors this project would not Philip Fief Group, was particularly helpful
have been possible. Over the past year, as this in coordinating the editing and final layout
work came to completion, many people have of the manuscript. Scott Nurkin created
helped—lending their time and kind sugges¬ all of the illustrations that assist the reader
tions. In particular, I'd like to thank my col¬ in following my descriptions of everything—
leagues at Agnes Scott College and Fernbank from volcanoes to asteroids. Finally, I'd like
Science Center for their encouragement and to thank my immediate family, my wife
patient assistance. Over a generation of stu¬ Nancie and daughter Fauren, who were
dents, at both institutions, has served as a always there, graciously giving me the neces¬
valuable resource that has guided me toward sary time for research in order to put my
more effective teaching/writing techniques. thoughts into words.
CONTENTS
Introduction 1
PART I GEOLOGY
Chapter I Minerals 5
What Is a Mineral?
Chemistry Primer
Elements of the Earth's Crust
Crystal Structure
Crystal Systems
Mineral Groups
Seven Groups of Minerals
Physical Properties of Minerals
Economic Value of Minerals
Summary
Chapter 2 Rocks 14
What Is a Rock?
Igneous Rocks
Metamorphic Rocks
Sedimentary Rocks
Summary
Chapter 3 Plate Tectonics 21
Continental Drift Theory
How Earth Moves
Earth's Interior
Earthquakes and Seismic Energy
Seismic Waves
Richter Scale
Divergent Plate Boundaries
Convergent Plate Boundaries
Transform Plate Boundaries and Seamount Chains
Summary
viii CONTENTS
Chapter 4 Geologic Processes 30
Surface-Modifying Processes
Volcanism
Fluvial or Water-Modifying Forces
Aeolian Processes
Glacial Processes
Mass Wasting or Gravitational Processes
Summary
Chapter 5 Geologic Time 43
How Old Is Earth?
Relative Age Dating
Absolute Age Dating
Geologic Time Scale
Summary
PART II OCEANOGRAPHY
Chapter 6 Ocean Composition and Layering 53
Origins of the Ocean
A Brief History of Oceanography
The World's Oceans
Earth's Seas and Lakes
Properties and Composition of Seawater
Layered Structure of Oceans
Oceanic Resources
Ocean Pollution
Summary
Chapter 7 Seafloor 65
The Submarine Landscape
Continental Margins
Basin Floor
Mid-Oceanic Ridges
Oceanic Trenches
Seamounts
Seafloor Sediments
Summary
