Includes bibliographical references (pages 455-457) and index.

Details of geology -- Measuring the earth -- The earth in space -- The earth's layers -- All about minerals -- Rock families -- Fossils in the rocks -- Fossil fuels -- Wearing away the earth -- Building mountains -- Geology and water -- Ice environments -- Examining earthquakes -- Volcanic eruptions -- Exploring caves -- Geology and the oceans -- Geology and the solar system -- Prominent geological features in the eastern United States -- Prominent geological features in the western United States -- Prominent geological features in the northern hemisphere -- Prominent geological features in the southern hemisphere -- Geology resources.

Contains over one hundred photographs and illustrations that answer nearly one thousand questions about the science of geology and provides information on such topics as volcanoes, mountains, glaciers, oceans, continents, dinosaur fossils, and how artificial gems are synthesized.