Physical Geology: Investigating Earth,
1st Edition

Reed Wicander, James S. Monroe

ISBN-13: 9780357730690 | ISBN-10: 0357730690

| Published 2022

| 528 pages

List Price USD $231.95

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Overview

The overarching goal of Physical Geology: Investigating Earth is to provide students with a basic understanding of geology and its processes and, most importantly, with an understanding of how geology relates to the human experience—that is, how geology affects individuals, society, and nation-states.

Reed Wicander is Professor Emeritus of Geology at Central Michigan University, where he taught Physical Geology, Historical Geology, Prehistoric Life, and Invertebrate Paleontology. Currently, he is an Adjunct Professor in the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences at The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. Dr. Wicander earned his B.S. degree in geology from San Diego State University and his Ph.D. from UCLA. His main research focuses on various aspects of Paleozoic palynology, specifically the study of acritarchs, a group of organic-walled microphytoplankton, on which he has published many papers. In addition, he has co-authored numerous geology textbooks with James S. Monroe. He is a past president of the American Association of Stratigraphic Palynologists – The Palynological Society and the Commission Internationale de la Microflore du Paléozoïque, as well as a former councilor of the International Federation of Palynological Societies.

James S. Monroe is Professor Emeritus of Geology at Central Michigan University, where he taught Physical Geology, Historical Geology, Prehistoric Life, and Stratigraphy and Sedimentology, and served as chair of the Geology Department. Dr. Monroe earned his Ph.D. from the University of Montana. He has coauthored numerous geology textbooks with Reed Wicander and has interests in Cenozoic geology and geologic education. He now lives in Chico, California where he remains active in geology by teaching courses to large groups of retirees.

The chapter text has been written to clarify concepts, emphasize the understanding of the underlying principles and processes, thus reinforcing the Learning Objectives, and making the material more exploratory.
Virtual Field Trips, included in MindTap, take students beyond the classroom to some of the most iconic geological locations through an immersive, interactive experience and include an array of media including video, high-quality visualizations and images, and Gigapan photography that allows students to zoom to a location up close – often closer than if they were physically there. Yosemite National Park, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, Death Valley National Park, and the Grand Canyon are among the locations that students will travel to, virtually.
GEOLOGY IN THE SPOTLIGHT highlights important current geologic research and topics that relate to the world today, such as Rare-Earth Elements and Critical Minerals as Geopolitical Weapons, Gold: A Valuable and Economically Important Precious Metal, Soil Loss and its Consequences, Glaciers and Global Warming, Windmills and Wind Power, and The San Andreas Fault – When is the Next Big One? to name a few.
The Learning Objectives focus on the important concepts discussed in the chapter. They are designed to develop critical thinking skills and ensure that the student has an understanding of the topics covered and is not just memorizing facts.
MindTap is the digital learning solution that powers students from memorization to mastery. Rich in multimedia, MindTap includes a variety of assessment opportunities, and media-rich learning tools such as powerful concept animations, videos, research projects, ArcGIS Map Analysis activities, Virtual Field Trips, and more.

The end-of-chapter material features a Key Concepts Review, a list of the Important Terms in the chapter, five multiple-choice and five short-answer questions, as well as a ‘What Would You Do’ question that is open-ended and designed to apply the material learned to a real-life situation.
The end-of-chapter material features a Key Concepts Review, a list of the Important Terms in the chapter, five multiple-choice and five short-answer questions, as well as a ‘What Would You Do’ question that is open-ended and designed to apply the material learned to a real-life situation.
Figure and table data are based on the most current available published source information.
Figure and table data reflect the most current available published source information by internationally recognized and reputable institutions such as the United States Geological Survey, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, as well as various United Nations organizations.
High-resolution photos were chosen to demonstrate the visual nature of geology. Many of the photos are of recent geologic events, thus adding to the currency and relevance, as well as reinforcing the global nature of geology. Each chapter opens with a bold and dramatic photo that sets the stage and provides a portal into the chapter topics.

1. Understanding Earth: A Dynamic and Evolving Planet
2. Plate Tectonics: A Unifying Theory
3. Minerals: The Building Blocks of Rocks
4. Igneous Rocks and Intrusive Igneous Activity
5. Volcanoes and Volcanism
6. Weathering, Erosion, and Soil
7. Sediment and Sedimentary Rocks
8. Metamorphism and Metamorphic Rocks
9. Earthquakes
10. Earth’s Interior
11. Deformation, Mountain Building, and the Continents
12. Mass Wasting
13. Running Water
14. Groundwater
15. Glaciers and Glaciation
16. The Work of Wind and Deserts
17. Oceans, Shorelines, and Shoreline Processes
18. Geologic Time: Concepts and Principles

Cengage provides a range of supplements that are updated in coordination with the main title selection. For more information about these supplements, contact your Learning Consultant.

Instructor's Companion Website for Wicander/Monroe's Physical Geology: Investigating Earth

ISBN13:9780357730713
ISBN10:0357730712
Everything you need for your course in one place! This collection of product-specific lecture and class tools is available online via the instructor resource center at www.cengage.com/login. You'll be able to access and download materials such as PowerPoint® presentations, images, instructor’s manual, videos, and more.

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ISBN13:9780357730737
ISBN10:0357730739
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