The Dynamic Earth: An Introduction to Physical Geology [Paperback]

Brian J. Skinner (Author), Stephen C. Porter (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0471161187 | ISBN-13: 978-0471161189 | Publication Date: January 17, 2000 | Edition: 4th

American Museum of Natural History John Wiley & Sons and the American Museum of Natural History have collaborated to develop a Web site linking this text to the Museum's permanent exhibition, the Gottesman Hall of Planet Earth, Rose Center for Earth and Space. The Web site features animations, images and other features from the Museum's extensive collection and Web site. This site will be updated and evolve to include new content. All links are keyed to the text of The Dynamic Earth, 4th Edition. Visit the Web site at www.wiley.com/college/skinner.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Instructor's Manual/Test Bank, Computerized Test Bank, Transparencies, Slides, Supplementary Slides, Study Guide, Videotape Package and CD-ROM available. -- The publisher, John Wiley & Sons --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Publisher

A comprehensive introduction that focuses on all of the major scientific processes of physical geology. Researched and written by two eminent geologists, the third edition includes new overarching themes of environmental issues and human interaction with the earth and its resources. Each chapter begins with an essay on this subject. Each part ends with a guest essay on the good stewardship of the Earth--how we can take care of our planet. The art program has been revised with 40% new art throughout to reflect current research. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 640 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 4th edition (January 17, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471161187
• ISBN-13: 978-0471161189
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,183,399 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #72 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Earth Sciences > Geology > Physical

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a very dynamic earth, January 24, 2006

By 

W Boudville (Terra, Sol 3) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Dynamic Earth: An Introduction to Physical Geology (Paperback)

Skinner, Porter and Park give you a richly illustrated introduction to geology. The text spans the breadth of modern geology, and shows an exciting and changing planet. There are numerous photos of examples of terrain, often accompanied by schematics to aid understanding. The latest techniques practised in geology are explained. Especially noteworthy is the extensive use of GPS. This has greatly aided recording the location of interesting geological samples.

Earthquakes are also well covered, and will probably be of interest to many readers, especially if you are in California. The history of the Richter and Mercalli scales is gone into. Unfortunately, predicting quakes is still very uncertain!

The discussion on earthquakes is also used as a good example of plate tectonics, where the latter is probably the central idea of geology.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Good, if Pricy, Textbook, August 27, 2006

By 

C. A. SMITH (Arizona USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Dynamic Earth: An Introduction to Physical Geology (Paperback)

This book is one of the standard university texts in physical geology, along with Understanding Earth by Frank Press et al. The book is well written and very well illustrated. The discription of plate tectonics and it's integration throughout the book is very well done. Like most such texts, it has the disadvantage of being written by lifelong academics with little or no contact with the extraxtive industries. Their treatment of energy extraction is superficial at best. One of the most important developments in geology over the past 30 years, that of sequence stratigraphy, does not even get a mention, perhaps because it came out of the oil exploration industry. (Understanding Earth does devote a paragraph or two to sequence stratigraphy.)

I confess that I did not buy a copy from Amazon. I picked mine up at a Border's Bookstore in London. The only difference in my copy and one bought in the US is a large graphic on the cover saying "Restricted: not for sale in North America". Why the restriction? Like many university textbooks, this one can be bought in overseas at a fraction of the US price. My undiscounted Border's London price was $59.19, a little more than half the US price. Quite remarkable, considering the current weakness of the US dollar to the UK pound.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book! Great condition! Great price!, October 17, 2011

By 

Gc108 - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Dynamic Earth: An Introduction to Physical Geology (Paperback)

Very satisfied with this purchase. Exactly what I expected. The book was the correct edition and in a condition accurate to what was said in the description.