
This manual introduces the fundamentals of geology as a lively exploration rather than a dry catalogue of facts. Written for both the curious self‑learner and the classroom, it guides readers step by step, encouraging them to discover the principles of the earth’s structure through clear explanations and practical examples. The author emphasises the methods of geological inquiry, inviting listeners to think like a field geologist from the very first chapter.
Covering the essential branches of physical geology, the book walks through the classification of rocks, the basics of mineralogy and petrology, and the ways rocks are formed—mechanically, chemically, and organically. It then delves into the organization of rock masses, the forces that shape the landscape, and the roles of water, atmosphere, plants and animals in geological change. Brief introductions to paleontology and historical geology show how the earth’s past life and climate are reconstructed.
Each section ends with concise questions that let listeners test their understanding, making the work a useful companion for independent study or as a textbook supplement.
Language
en
Duration
~3 hours (180K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Heather Clark, Tom Cosmas and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This book was produced from scanned images of public domain material from the Google Print project.)
Release date
Feb 18, 2011
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1839–1915
A key Scottish geologist of the late 19th century, he helped shape modern thinking about the Ice Age by arguing that colder eras were broken up by warmer interglacial periods. His work also made him an important early voice in Pleistocene geology and the study of how people lived through ancient climatic change.
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