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Essentials of Geology

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Marshak geology meets active, virtual learning. The gold standard text for helping students visualize and understand geologic processes makes hands-on and real-world exploration easier and more impactful than ever, in any course setting. New 3D specimen and digital elevation models, with corresponding Smartwork exercises, allow students to examine specimens and sites as if they were in the field or lab. And new highly visual “Practice What You Know” and “What Can You See?” activities at the end of each chapter and in Smartwork help students synthesize and apply important concepts like a geologist. Thoroughly updated with current events and essential data, the Seventh Edition also reveals the dynamism of geology and how it impacts our lives

643 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2003

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228 people want to read

About the author

Stephen Marshak

61 books4 followers

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5 stars
62 (31%)
4 stars
52 (26%)
3 stars
49 (25%)
2 stars
14 (7%)
1 star
17 (8%)
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
Profile Image for Letizia.
34 reviews22 followers
June 4, 2012
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
Profile Image for Kyle.
420 reviews
February 18, 2025
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.
451 reviews7 followers
November 6, 2021
Enjoyed it a lot. It's a very basic textbook. But as I am very ignorant on this subject, I enjoyed it a lot.
Profile Image for Wendy.
213 reviews7 followers
November 30, 2022
The digital, interactive version is fantastic for learning the material
Profile Image for Matthew Lubecki.
6 reviews2 followers
June 26, 2016
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.
Profile Image for Eire Boudicca.
22 reviews2 followers
July 18, 2014
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!
Profile Image for Kenneth Miller.
34 reviews4 followers
October 19, 2014
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.
1,135 reviews6 followers
June 22, 2017
I still refer to this on occasion when curiosity strikes. Well-arranged, easy to grasp presentation.
Profile Image for Sab.
127 reviews13 followers
June 7, 2014
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.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews

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