Physical Geology

Table of Contents

• • Preface
  • Acknowledgments

• Part I: Foundations

• Chapter 1: Introduction to Geology

• • Introduction
  • 1.1 What Is Geology? 
  • 1.2 Why Study Earth?
  • 1.3 What Do Geologists Do?
  • 1.4 Minerals and Rocks
  • 1.5 Fundamentals of Plate Tectonics
  • 1.6 Geological Time
  • Chapter 1 Summary

• Part II: Earth Materials

• Chapter 2: Minerals

• • Introduction
  • 2.1 Electrons, Protons, Neutrons, and Atoms
  • 2.2 Bonding and Lattices
  • 2.3 Mineral Groups
  • 2.4 Silicate Minerals
  • 2.5 Formation of Minerals
  • 2.6 Mineral Properties
  • Chapter 2 Summary

• Chapter 3: Intrusive Igneous Rocks

• • Introduction
  • 3.1 The Rock Cycle
  • 3.2 Magma and Magma Formation
  • 3.3 Crystallization of Magma
  • 3.4 Classification of Igneous Rocks
  • 3.5 Intrusive Igneous Bodies
  • Chapter 3 Summary

• Chapter 4: Volcanism

• • Introduction
  • 4.1 Plate Tectonics and Volcanism
  • 4.2 Magma Composition and Eruption Style
  • 4.3 Types of Volcanoes
  • 4.4 Volcanic Hazards
  • 4.5 Monitoring Volcanoes and Predicting Eruptions
  • 4.6 Volcanoes in British Columbia
  • Chapter 4 Summary

• Chapter 5: Weathering and Soil

• • Introduction
  • 5.1 Mechanical Weathering
  • 5.2 Chemical Weathering
  • 5.3 The Products of Weathering and Erosion
  • 5.4 Weathering and the Formation of Soil
  • 5.5 The Soils of Canada
  • 5.6 Weathering and Climate Change
  • Chapter 5 Summary

• Chapter 6: Sediments and Sedimentary Rocks

• • Introduction
  • 6.1 Clastic Sedimentary Rocks
  • 6.2 Chemical Sedimentary Rocks
  • 6.3 Depositional Environments and Sedimentary Basins
  • 6.4 Sedimentary Structures and Fossils
  • 6.5 Groups, Formations, and Members
  • Chapter 6 Summary

• Chapter 7: Metamorphism and Metamorphic Rocks

• • Introduction
  • 7.1 Controls over Metamorphic Processes
  • 7.2 Classification of Metamorphic Rocks

• Chapter 8: Measuring Geological Time

• • Introduction
  • 8.1 The Geological Time Scale
  • 8.2 Relative Dating Methods
  • 8.3 Dating Rocks Using Fossils
  • 8.4 Isotopic Dating Methods
  • 8.5 Other Dating Methods
  • 8.6 Understanding Geological Time
  • Chapter 8 Summary

• Chapter 9: Earth’s Interior

• • Introduction
  • 9.1 Understanding Earth through Seismology
  • 9.2 The Temperature of Earth’s Interior
  • 9.3 Earth’s Magnetic Field
  • 9.4 Isostasy
  • Chapter 9 Summary

• Chapter 10: Plate Tectonics

• • Introduction
  • 10.1 Alfred Wegener — the Father of Plate Tectonics
  • 10.2 Global Geological Models of the Early 20th Century
  • 10.3 Geological Renaissance of the Mid-20th Century
  • 10.4 Plates, Plate Motions, and Plate-Boundary Processes
  • 10.5 Mechanisms for Plate Motion
  • Chapter 10 Summary

• Chapter 11: Earthquakes

• • Introduction
  • 11.1 What Is an Earthquake?
  • 11.2 Earthquakes and Plate Tectonics
  • 11.3 Measuring Earthquakes
  • 11.4 The Impacts of Earthquakes
  • 11.5 Forecasting Earthquakes and Minimizing Damage and Casualties
  • Chapter 11 Summary

• Chapter 12: Geological Structures

• • Introduction
  • 12.1 Stress and Strain
  • 12.2 Folding
  • 12.3 Fracturing and Faulting
  • 12.4 Measuring Geological Structures
  • Chapter 12 Summary

• Chapter 13: Streams and Floods

• • Introduction
  • 13.1 The Hydrological Cycle
  • 13.2 Drainage Basins
  • 13.3 Stream Erosion and Deposition
  • 13.4 Stream Types
  • 13.5 Flooding
  • Chapter 13 Summary

• Chapter 14: Groundwater

• • Introduction
  • 14.1 Groundwater and Aquifers
  • 14.2 Groundwater Flow
  • 14.3 Groundwater Extraction
  • 14.4 Groundwater Quality
  • Chapter 14 Summary

• Chapter 15: Mass Wasting

• • Introduction
  • 15.1 Factors That Control Slope Stability
  • 15.2 Classification of Mass Wasting
  • 15.3 Preventing, Delaying, Monitoring, and Mitigating Mass Wasting
  • Chapter 15 Summary

• Chapter 16: Glaciation

• • Introduction
  • 16.1 Glacial Periods in Earth’s History
  • 16.2 How Glaciers Work
  • 16.3 Glacial Erosion
  • 16.4 Glacial Deposition
  • Chapter 16 Summary

• Chapter 17: Shorelines

• • Introduction
  • 17.1 Waves
  • 17.2 Landforms of Coastal Erosion
  • 17.3 Landforms of Coastal Deposition
  • 17.4 Sea-Level Change
  • 17.5 Human Interference with Shorelines
  • Chapter 17 Summary

• Chapter 18: Geology of the Oceans

• • Introduction
  • 18.1 The Topography of the Sea Floor
  • 18.2 The Geology of the Oceanic Crust
  • 18.3 Sea-Floor Sediments
  • 18.4 Ocean Water
  • Chapter 18 Summary

• Chapter 19: Climate Change

• • Introduction
  • 19.1 What Makes the Climate Change?
  • 19.2 Anthropogenic Climate Change
  • 19.3 Implications of Climate Change
  • Chapter 19 Summary

• Chapter 20: Geological Resources

• • Introduction
  • 20.1 Metal Deposits
  • 20.2 Industrial Minerals
  • 20.3 Fossil Fuels
  • 20.4 Diamonds
  • Chapter 20 Summary

• Chapter 21: Geological History of Western Canada

• • Introduction
  • 21.1 Geological History of Canada
  • 21.3 Western Canada during the Paleozoic
  • 21.2 Western Canada during the Precambrian
  • 21.3 Western Canada during the Paleozoic
  • 21.4 Western Canada during the Mesozoic
  • 21.5 Western Canada during the Cenozoic
  • Chapter 21 Summary

• Chapter 22: The Origin of Earth and the Solar System

• • Introduction
  • 22.1 Starting with a Big Bang
  • 22.2 Forming Planets from the Remnants of Exploding Stars
  • 22.3 How to Build a Solar System
  • 22.4 Earth’s First 2 Billion Years
  • 22.5 Are There Other Earths?
  • Chapter 22 Summary
• • Glossary
  • About the Author
  • Appendix A: List of Geologically Important elements and the Periodic Table
  • Appendix B Answers to Review Questions
  • Appendix C: Answers to Exercises