Geology For Dummies. Alecia M. Spooner

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Introduction

      Geology is the study of the earth. By default this means that geology is a vast, complex, and intricate topic. But “vast, intricate, and complex” does not necessarily mean difficult. Many folks interested in geology just don’t know where to start. Minerals? Rocks? Glaciers? Volcanoes? Fossils? Earthquakes? The sheer number of topics covered under the heading “geology” can be overwhelming.

      Enter Geology For Dummies! The goal of this book is to break through the overwhelming array of geology information and provide a quick reference for key concepts in the study of the earth.

      My hope is that you find this book both interesting and useful, whether you’ve purchased it to accompany a course you’re taking in school or to help you find answers to questions you have about the planet you live on.

About This Book

      In Geology For Dummies, you can start anywhere. This book is written as an introduction to the most common topics in geology. Follow your interest from one topic to the next, or start at the beginning and read the chapters in order. I wrote the book in a style that allows you to open to any page and learn something. But if you want to start at the beginning, you’re introduced to the concepts in a logical and structured order that (I hope!) answers your questions almost as soon as you ask them.

      Throughout the book you find cross-references to other chapters. I use them because it’s impossible to explore one topic in geology without touching on many others. The multiple cross-references weave together the different parts of geologic study into a complex whole.

      Wherever possible, I include illustrations to accompany my explanations. Geology is all around you, so while you are busy reading this book and examining the illustrations, I encourage you to also look around and find real-world examples of the processes and features I describe. To this end, I have also included a color photo section in the middle of the book featuring vivid images that help bring the subject matter to life.

Foolish Assumptions

      As I was writing this book, I had to make a few assumptions about you, the reader. I assume that you live on Earth and are familiar with rocks, streams, and weather (rain, wind, and sun). I also assume that you are familiar with a very basic geography of the earth, including the continents, oceans, and major mountain ranges.

      I do not assume that you have any scientific background in chemistry, which you may find useful if you want to dig deeper into the details of rock formation and transformation. Similarly, when I discuss evolution I do not assume that you have any background in biology or anatomy (and none is needed to understand the concepts I present). If the subject of evolution interests you, you may find that your questions lead you to pick up other reference books on that topic.

      If you find that your interest in geology is further fueled by this book, I recommend that you purchase an earth science or geology dictionary. Geology is full of terms with precise and informative meanings. With this kind of dictionary on hand, you’ll find you can easily interpret even the most befuddling geological explanations.

Icons Used in This Book

      Throughout this book, I use icons to draw your attention to certain information:

Beyond the Book

      In addition to what you’re reading right now, this product also comes with a free access-anywhere Cheat Sheet that tells you about plate tectonics and the geologic timescale.. To get this Cheat Sheet, simply go to www.dummies.com and type Geology For Dummies Cheat Sheet in the Search box.

Where to Go from Here

      You have most likely purchased this book with a question about geology already in mind. In that case, I encourage you to follow your interest. Use the table of contents or index to find where I answer your question, flip to that page, and get started!

      If you don’t have a particular question in mind, here are a few of my favorite topics that will get you started on your study of Earth: