CliffsQuickReview Physical Geology

Mark J. Crawford9780822053354, 0-8220-5335-7

CliffsQuickReview course guides cover the essentials of your toughest classes. Get a firm grip on core concepts and key material, and test your newfound knowledge with review questions.Whether you’re new to rocks and minerals or just brushing up on a favorite old subject, CliffsQuickReview Physical Geology can help. This guide not only helps you understand how glaciation, running water, weathering, and erosion have formed the landscapes we see today, but as you work your way through this guide, you’ll find out about * The earth’s components * Geologic structures * Igneous rocks * Sedimentary rocks * Metamorphic rocks CliffsQuickReview Physical Geology is an invaluable reference for those who want to understand complex processes deep inside the earth like plate tectonics, volcanic activity, and mountain-building. Here are just a few of the things you’ll learn about: * The earth’s origin * Shorelines * Deserts and winds * The ocean floor * Earthquakes With titles available for all the most popular high school and college courses, CliffsQuickReview guides are a comprehensive resource that can help you get the best possible grades.

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Table of contents :
Cliffs Quick Review Physical Geology……Page 3
Preface……Page 5
CONTENTS……Page 7
Historical Notes……Page 19
The Earth’s Structure……Page 20
The Earth’s Exterior……Page 23
The Earth Today……Page 24
Minerals and Rocks……Page 25
Mineral Properties……Page 26
The Rock Cycle……Page 27
Magmatic Differentiation……Page 29
Volcanoes and Lavas……Page 30
Extrusive Rock Types……Page 32
Rock Textures……Page 33
Intrusive Rock Types……Page 35
Intrusive Structures……Page 37
How Different Magmas Form……Page 38
Igneous Rocks and Plate Tectonics……Page 39
How Sedimentary Rocks Form……Page 41
Clastic Sedimentary Rocks……Page 42
Chemical Sedimentary Rocks……Page 43
Sedimentary Features……Page 45
Sedimentary Environments……Page 46
Factors Controlling Metamorphism……Page 49
Types of Metamorphism……Page 52
Metamorphic Rock Types……Page 54
Hydrothermal Rocks……Page 55
Metamorphism and Plate Tectonics……Page 56
Tectonic Forces……Page 57
Interpreting Structures……Page 58
Mapping in the Field……Page 59
Folding……Page 61
Fracturing……Page 64
Unconformities……Page 67
Weathering……Page 71
Processes of Mechanical Weathering……Page 72
Processes of Chemical Weathering……Page 73
Soil……Page 75
Mass-Wasting Controls……Page 79
Types ofMass Wasting……Page 81
Prevention of Mass Wasting……Page 83
Types of Water Flow……Page 85
Stream Dynamics……Page 86
Stream Erosion……Page 87
Sediment Load……Page 89
Stream Deposition……Page 90
Stream Valleys……Page 93
Regional Erosion……Page 96
GLACIERS AND GLACIATION……Page 99
Types of Glaciers……Page 100
How Glaciers Develop……Page 101
Glacier Movement……Page 102
Glacial Landforms……Page 104
Glacial Deposits……Page 105
Glaciers in the Past……Page 108
North American Glaciation……Page 109
Porosity……Page 111
The Water Table……Page 112
Streams and Springs……Page 114
Effects of Groundwater Flow……Page 117
Groundwater Pollution……Page 118
Geothermal Energy……Page 119
Waves……Page 121
Beaches……Page 123
Shoreline Features……Page 125
Tides……Page 128
Distribution and Causes of Deserts……Page 129
Desert Features……Page 130
The Effects of Wind……Page 131
How Earthquakes Form……Page 135
Seismic Waves……Page 136
Monitoring Earthquakes……Page 138
Effects of Earthquakes……Page 140
Earthquakes and Plate Tectonics……Page 142
Control and Prediction……Page 143
Methods of Detection……Page 147
The Structure of the Earth……Page 148
The Mantle……Page 149
Isostatic Equilibrium……Page 151
The Core……Page 153
Magnetic Fields……Page 155
Gravity……Page 157
Geothermal Gradients……Page 158
Investigative Technologies……Page 159
Continental Margins……Page 160
Ocean Floor Sediments……Page 162
Passive Continental Margins……Page 163
Reefs……Page 164
Midoceanic Ridges……Page 166
Oceanic Crust……Page 169
Early Evidence for Plate Tectonics……Page 171
Sea Floor Evidence for Plate Tectonics……Page 174
How Plates Move……Page 179
Types of Plate Boundaries……Page 180
Why Plates Move……Page 185
Mantle Plumes……Page 186
Pangaea……Page 187
MOUNTAIN-BUILDING……Page 189
Features of Mountain Belts……Page 190
Types of Mountains……Page 192
How Mountains Form……Page 193
How Continents Form……Page 195
Relative Time……Page 197
Geologic Correlations……Page 199
Absolute Age……Page 201
A Summary of Earth’s History……Page 205
Resources and Reserves……Page 209
Metallic Deposits……Page 210
Energy Resources……Page 212
Nonmetallic Resources……Page 216
Recycling and Conservation……Page 217
Mercury……Page 219
Earth’s Moon……Page 220
Mars……Page 221
Jupiter and Saturn……Page 222
GLOSSARY……Page 223