Includes bibliographical references and index.

Contents: Foundations: An Overview of our planetary environment -- Rocks and minerals - a first look -- Internal precesses: Plate tectonics -- Earthquakes -- Volcanoes -- Surface processes: Streams and flooding -- Coastal zones and processes -- Mass movement -- Geology and climate: Glaciers, deserts, and global climate trends -- Resources: Water as a resource -- Soil as a resource -- Mineral and rock resources -- Energy resources-fossil fuels -- Energy resources - alternative sources -- Waste disposal, pollution, and health: Waste disposal -- Water pollution -- Air pollution -- Other related topics: Environmental law -- Land-use planning and engineering geology -- Appendix A: Geologic time, geologic process rates -- Appendix B: Introduction to topographic and geologic maps -- Appendix C: Mineral and rock identification.