Essentials of Geology

by Stephen Marshak

Marshak makes geology personal, practical, and relevant.

In the exciting new Eighth Edition of Essentials of Geology, Stephen Marshak connects course content to issues that affect students, including energy resources, climate change, fracking, and natural disasters. Throughout the text and resources, students see the importance of geology in their daily lives and broader communities, while the interactive ebook has students doing geology through videos, GIFs, and virtual fieldwork.

Exciting updates to the text and digital package

New Why It Matters and Doing Geoscience features show the relevance of geology and showcase real people working in the geosciences. Students will see firsthand how geological knowledge empowers them to address critical issues such as climate change, resource management, natural hazards, and sustainability.A greater emphasis on Earth Systems, Climate Change, Human Impacts, and Natural Disasters. The Eighth Edition expands on these critical topics, integrating them earlier in the text and revisiting them throughout to emphasize their ongoing importance.The new Norton Illumine Ebook features a variety of explainer videos, 3D models, and new “Earth Systems in Action” GIFS.New Geology at a Glance features in the ebook are now presented as tabbed figures, making it easier for students to interact with these important visuals.The New NortonAI tool provides extra reading support and practice questions within the confines of the trusted Marshak text.Guided Learning Explorations in Smartwork deliver scaffolded, auto-graded activities that simulate virtual fieldwork, helping students―including remote learners―think like geologists.

Genres: Geology, Science, Textbooks, Nonfiction, School, Reference, Grad School

768 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2003

Reviews

[Letizia · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a very interesting book and very well explained each subject, for an amateur in geology like me I think is a very good starting point to get to learn from new subjects.
It also have a lot of pictures from where you will understand better the subject.
The structure sentences are very easy to understand and, yes, there are words that need to be learned from a geologist vocab, but eventually you will get it.
My professor's lecture plus the book I have learned so much about the place I leave "Earth" and today I am capable of understanding my planet.
I have fallen in love again with the environment and the world.
It is simply an amazing college book!

BTW...is the cheapest geology book but like I said before.. are you an amateur? buy it used it might be aroung 5 bucks

[Kyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent overview of all the major concepts of geology with plenty of great illustrations and examples. Marshak has a fairly conversational tone that works well for getting across all of the concepts. I wouldn't mind more mathematics (there is minimal to none), but that doesn't really detract from the book's value. It isn't focused on quantitative, but qualitative understanding of all of all the processes in the Earth system. Given the vast complexities of the subject, this does a good job of summarizing and giving you the main concepts so that you can apply them to the world outside.

[William · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good prose supported by an introduction to geology.

[Alethea Hammer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed it a lot. It's a very basic textbook. But as I am very ignorant on this subject, I enjoyed it a lot.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The digital, interactive version is fantastic for learning the material

[Autumn Lytle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read enough of this book for my geology class that it counts. Dude, this is so boring. All the cool stuff I learned was from lab, not the class or the book.

[Matthew Lubecki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on Geology. Marshak did a great job introducing topics in a digestible way and then moving onto more complex aspects. Marshak did a great job developing base level knowledge and expanding from there. Great analogies make the material very relatable. Great illustrations. Fantastic textbook that isn’t boring like a text can be. Also incorporated Google Earth to tour various geological sites in the world. Absolutely fascinating subject. Highly recommend that everyone reads this book to learn about the earth we live on.

[Eire Boudicca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought this was a good, straightforward textbook. The writing was clear and understandable, and quite engaging for a textbook. I enjoyed reading it, and learned lots of new and interesting things about our planet!

[Kenneth Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the pictures and learning interesting topics in better depth that typically isn't shown in documentaries. Was required as part of my degree plan, I took it online at a 2 year, and enjoyed it. Got an A in the class.

[for-much-deliberation ... · Rating 2 out of 5]

The supporting internet animations for this text are quite good, providing a clearer understanding of some geological concepts.

[Benjamin Plume · Rating 3 out of 5]

I still refer to this on occasion when curiosity strikes. Well-arranged, easy to grasp presentation.

[Sab · Rating 4 out of 5]

this textbook is really easy to read and the concepts are portrayed well, I excelled in my geology class because this textbook is well written.

[Amashi Niwarthana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thumbs up for Geology!