Preface
Chapter 1 Introduction
1.1 Introduction to Earth Sciences
1.2 The Importance of Earth Sciences
1.3 The Scientific Method
1.4 Introduction to Geology
Chapter 2 Star, Space and Galaxies
2.1 Universe
2.1.1 In the Beginning: the Big Bang
2.1.2 The Nonhomogeneous Universe
2.2 Milky Way
2.2.1 The Nucleus of the Milky Way
2.2.2 Galactic Nebulae
2.3 Sun
2.3.1 The Sun's Inner Structure
2.3.2 The Photosphere
2.3.3 The Sun's Outer Layers
2.4 Planets
2.4.1 Mercury
2.4.2 Venus
2.4.3 Earth
2.4.4 Mars
2.4.5 Jupiter
2.4.6 Saturn
2.4.7 Uranus
2.4.8 Neptune
Chapter 3 Geological Process
3.1 The Theory of Plate Tectonics
3.2 How Plate Tectonics Affect Earth's Surface
3.2.1 Volcanoes
3.2.2 Earthquakes
3.2.3 Mountain Building
Chapter 4 Petrology and Mineralogy
4.1 Elements
4.1.1 Distribution and Clark Value of Elements in the Crust of Earth
4.1.2 Migration and Enrichment of Elements in the Crust of Earth
4.2 Mineralogy
4.2.1 Concept of Minerals
4.2.2 Physical Properties of Minerals
4.2.3 Main Rock Forming Minerals
4.3 Petrology
4.3.1 Igneous Rocks
4.3.2 Sedimentary Rocks
4.3.3 Metamorphic Rocks
Chapter 5 Atmospheric Science (Atmosphere)
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Origin, Composition and Structure of the Earth's Atmosphere
5.2.1 Origin of Atmosphere
5.2.2 Composition of Atmosphere
5.2.3 Atmospheric Vertical Stratification
5.3 Atmospheric Movement
5.4 Climate Change
5.4.1 Climate Formation and Classification
5.4.2 Changing Climate
5.4.3 Possible Causes of Climate Change
5.5 Land-Atmosphere Interactions
Chapter 6 Marine Geology and Hydrology
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Hydrosphere
6.3 Marine Topography
6.3.1 Coastal Topography
6.3.2 Continental Margin Topography
6.4 Marine Geological Processes
6.4.1 Movement of Sea Water
6.4.2 Chemical Action of Seawater
6.4.3 Role of Marine Life
6.4.4 Erosion of Waves
6.4.5 Erosion of Tidal Current and Ocean Current
6.4.6 Erosion of Turbidity Current
6.4.7 Erosion of Marine Life
6.4.8 Sea Water Handling
6.4.9 Marine Sedimentation
6.5 Surface Water
6.5.1 Rivers
6.5.2 Lakes
6.5.3 Wetlands and Soil Water
6.5.4 Snow and Ice
6.6 Groundwater
Chapter 7 Geophysics/Earth's Structure
7.1 Earth Systems
7.2 Earth's Internal Layered Structure
7.2.1 Earth's Crust
7.2.2 Earth's Mantle
7.2.3 Inner and Outer Core
7.3 Isostasy
7.4 Gravity
7.5 Earth's Magnetic Field
7.5.1 Magnetic Reversals
7.5.2 Magnetic Anomalies
7.6 Earth's Temperature
7.6.1 Geothermal Gradient
7.6.2 Heat Flow
Chapter 8 Tectonics
8.1 Continental Drift
8.2 Seafloor Spreading
8.2.1 Mapping the Ocean Floor
8.2.2 Ocean-Floor Topography
8.2.3 Ocean Rocks and Sediments
8.2.4 Magnetism
8.2.5 Seafloor Spreading
8.3 The Theory of Plate Tectonics
8.3.1 Divergent Plate Boundaries
8.3.2 The Mid-Oceanic Ridge. Rifting in the Oceans
8.3.3 Splitting Continents: Rifting in Continental Crust
8.3.4 Convergent Plate Boundaries
8.3.5 Transform Plate Boundaries
8.4 Causes of Plate Motions
8.4.1 Convection
8.4.2 Push and Pull
8.5 Supercontinents
8.6 Vertical Movement of the Lithosphere
Chapter 9 Geochronology
9.1 Geochronology Methods
9.1.1 Relative Dating
9.1.2 Absolute Dating
9.1.3 Magnetostratigraphy
9.2 Geologic Time Scale
9.2.1 Composition of Geological Time Scale
9.2.2 The Introduction to the Phanerozoic
Chapter 10 Stratigraphy
10.1 Principles of Stratigraphy
10.2 Stratigraphic Classification
10.2.1 Lithostratigraphic Units
10.2.2 Biostratigraphic Units
10.2.3 Chronostratig