On the Rocks: Earth Science for Everyone Book

A fascinating journey of discovery through the world of modern Earth Science

How does the Earth differ from other planets in our solar system? What conditions are necessary for life to emerge on a planet? How did oceans form and how did the continents arise? What causes earthquakes and volcanoes?...In this enthralling excursion through the world of modern Earth Science, Professor John S. Dickey provides answers to these and many other topics of interest to rock hounds, outdoors lovers, and all readers of popular science. In a narrative peppered with anecdotes and profiles of discoverers and their discoveries, he takes us on a fascinating journey through vast stretches of time and spaceâ??from deep beneath the Earth's crust to the fiery hearts of distant galaxiesâ??to explain how the Earth was formed, the movement of continents, earthquakes, volcanoes, minerals and rocks, diamonds and gems, meteorites, and more.

• An entertaining, highly readable exploration of some of the most intriguing topics in earth science, requiring no background in the earth sciences or higher mathematics
• Takes an historical, human approach, telling the fascinating stories of the great discoverers in the field and how they made their discoveries

JOHN S. DICKEY, PhD (San Antonio, Texas) is Dean of Sciences, Department of Mathematics and Engineering, Trinity University, San Antonio, Texas. Dr. Dickey was part of the team at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory that analyzed the first geological samples brought back from the Moon.