The Nature of Earth: An Introduction to Geology

West Virginia University's Dr. John J. Renton draws on over 40 years of expertise to present this 36-lecture course, introducing students to the physical world around them. Divided into 12 topic areas—Earth's origins, plate tectonics, minerals, rocks, volcanism, mass wasting, soils, erosion, groundwater, rock deformation, earthquakes, and mountains—The Nature of Earth is a lively presentation, buttressed with illustrative slides, photographs, and a touch of humor. Renton, who considers geology to be the world's number one spectator sport, does a terrific job of bringing all of the key elements together for students to appreciate the cataclysmic events that brought about the formation of the Grand Canyon, Zion National Park, Yellowstone, and Idaho's Lava Hot Springs, to name just a few geologic wonders. Sure to be popular with high school and academic libraries (to supplement their own regular or distance ed courses), as well as public libraries serving adult learners, this series (with separately available course guidebooks that feature outlines, transcripts, maps, a timeline, glossary, and bibliography) is highly recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (L. Stevens)