Lured by the promise of riches, thousands of settlers left behind the forests, rain, and fertile soil of the eastern United States in favor of the rough-hewn lands of the American West. The dramatic terrain they struggled to cross is so familiar to us now that it is hard to imagine how frightening—even godforsaken—its sheer rock faces and barren deserts seemed to our forebears.        Hard Road West brings their perspective vividly to life, weaving together the epic overland journey of the covered wagon trains and the compelling story of the landscape they encountered. Taking readers along the 2,000-mile California Trail, Keith Meldahl uses the diaries and letters of the settlers themselves—as well as the countless hours he has spent following the trail—to reveal how the geology and geography of the West directly affected our nation’s westward expansion. He guides us through a corrugated landscape of sawtooth mountains, following the meager streams that served as lifelines through an arid land, all the way to California itself, where colliding tectonic plates created breathtaking scenery and planted the gold that lured travelers west in the first place. “Alternates seamlessly between vivid accounts of the 19th-century journey and lucid explanations of the geological events that shaped the landscape traveled. . . . The reader comes away with both an appreciation for the arduous cross-continental wagon journey and an understanding of the events that created such a vast and difficult landscape.”—Library Journal “[Meldahl] draws on his professional knowledge to explain the geology of the West, showing how centuries of geological activity had a direct effect on the routes taken by the travelers. . . . Meldahl provides a novel account of the largest overland migration since the Crusades.”—Science News

    This is because almost 70 percent of Earth's surface is covered with water. Earth is the only planet with liquid water --- and therefore the only planet that can support life. All water is connected. Every raindrop, lake, underground river and glacier is part of a single global well. Water has the power to change everything --- a single splash can sprout a seed, quench a thirst, provide a habitat, generate energy and sustain life. How we treat the water in the well will affect every species on the planet, now and for years to come. One Well shows how every one of us has the power to conserve and protect our global well. One Well is part of CitizenKid: A collection of books that inform children about the world and inspire them to be better global citizens.

    The origins of the Earth are discussed, including the mechanism of tectonics—the force driving the movement of the continents. Over time, these tectonic forces thrust up mountains, build continents, and consume entire oceans. Lands meet and separate and the rocks that make up this planet are transformed from one landform to another. Following on from tectonics is a journey through the Earth’s geological history, presenting each geological time period since its formation. Learn how the Earth formed and how the continents and oceans have been continually transformed from continent to supercontinent and back. Discover how the underlying geological process shaped not only the landforms of the planet but the living things that inhabit it and their evolution. Geologica presents an in-depth insight into the different types of landscapes. Volcanoes, caves, deserts, glaciers, and deltas are explored in relation to their geological heritage. How each type of landform is created is revealed, followed by an exploratory trip into the most extraordinary examples found in all parts of the world. Mountain ranges, rift valleys, archipelagos, deltas, and geysers—and the geological processes that created them—are brought to life through pictures and mapping. Featuring over 700 color photographs of some of the world’s most impressive land-scapes, and detailed world and regional maps, Geologica is a useful resource for the student and an ideal reference book for the home library.

    Earth has survived four and a half billion years of being 'stirred from below and bombarded from above' but at the start of the twenty-first century our planet faces new threats, brought about by human actions. It is the perfect time to look back on an extraordinary life and give Earth a thorough health-check. Each chapter focuses on one of Earth's most powerful forces - meteor impacts, plate tectonics, the ocean, atmosphere and ice - and explores their central role in keeping Earth alive.These are the forces that drive our planet and shape its destiny. We discover how a devastating cosmic impact blasted a huge chunk of Earth into space to form the Moon, how Earth nearly froze to death when it was completely encased in ice for millions of years, and how Earth's remarkable heat engine, its molten core, saved the day. Earth has been able to sustain complex life thanks to an extraordinary number of lucky breaks and coincidences. Scientists predict that one day it will die as the Sun heats up and expands. But are we hastening its end through our actions? This lavishly illustrated book will tell the epic story of the birth, life and future of our amazing planet.

    Many of the insects' colors are brilliant and jewellike, and they are displayed beautifully here. This book and accompanying CD provide a unique doorway to enjoyment of the insect concerts and solos that dominate our natural soundscape during the summer and autumn. The text includes information on the natural history of insects, identification tips, and an appreciation of insect song. A seventy-minute audio CD features high-quality recordings of the songs of all species, track-keyed to the information presented in the text.

    Unseen by most of us, they are providing information on the many changes taking place, from movements in the land and volcanic eruptions, to human-caused changes such as the growth of cities, deforestation and the spread of pollutants in the atmosphere and oceans. Led by four editors with support from a production team at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, many of the world's top remote sensing scientists showcase some spectacular and beautiful satellite imagery along with informed essays on the science behind these images and the implications of what is shown. This is a stunningly attractive and informative book for anyone interested in environmental issues and the beauty of our home planet, providing inspiration for students, teachers, environmentalists and the general public alike.

    It's the Earth in all its splendor. Unfortunately, geology texts rarely communicate that sense of excitement.Enter Michael Collier, geologist, writer and one of America's premier aerial photographers. For over 20 years, he has piloted his Cessna 180 to inaccessible locations and returned with stunning photographs that lay bare the Earth's workings.Over the Mountains, the first book in Michael Collier's new series, focuses on geology's most spectacular subject in a most spectacular way. It includes: Detailed and breathtaking large-format color photographs covering the geology of every major mountain range in the United States Clear, easy-to-understand text, diagrams and captions that explain and illuminate the geologic processes shown in the photographs.After exploring the pages of Over the Mountains, readers will never think of mountains -- or geology -- in the same way again.

    Some sites, for instance, contain nearly complete preserved records of ancient life. Fourteen of these remarkable fossil depositories are found in North America, including Mistaken Point in Newfoundland, Mazon Creek in Illinois, and Rancho La Brea in Los Angeles. Fossil Ecosystems of North America describes these and eleven other sites that range across the continent. John R. Nudds and Paul A. Selden introduce each site and place the fossil findings in geologic and evolutionary context. They go on to describe the history of research at each site—the sedimentology, stratigraphy, biota, paleoecology—and offer comparisons to other localities of similar age or environment. Fossil Ecosystems of North America also includes an appendix of museums at which readers can see specimens from the sites and suggestions for visiting the sites in person. In some cases, new specimens can still be collected from these sites by professionals and amateurs alike. Accessible and informative, this guide to Fossil-Lagerstätten will appeal to expert scientists and adventuresome lay paleontologists alike.

    The book is Number 1 in the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History's Monographs in Anthropology in Publication Series. A technical and academic publication marketed to academics.

    Written by a recognised authority in the field, Glorified Dinosaurs: The Origin and Early Evolution of Birds provides a comprehensive summary of these discoveries and addresses the fascinating topic of how modern birds evolved from fearsome dinosaurs akin to the celebrated Velociraptor. The book focuses on an evolutionary approach and presents current research and fossil discoveries. The title includes coloured photographs of fossils and fossil localities, many of which have been rarely reproduced elsewhere. Glorified Dinosaurs: The Origin and Early Evolution of Birds is an invaluable resource for every palaeontologist, ornithologist, evolutionary biologist, geology and life sciences student. It is also an exciting reading for people interested in dinosaurs and avian evolution and for all those with a general interests in the topic.

    Includes expert analysis of the key rock-forming environments of the world, plus advice on identifying rock types and building a spectacular collection.

    Exceptional Women Environmentalists profiles ten advocates for the earth-passionate women who work tirelessly on behalf of those who have no voice. From Jane Goodall, famed primate researcher and advocate, to -Amazonian Legend- Sharon Beder, activist for the Brazilian rainforest and its people, Exceptional Women Environmentalists shows how ordinary people can do extraordinary things.

    Their text is authoritative and clearly written, accessible to older children as well as adults. Attractive color photos of pets and their owners appear on nearly every page, as well as on each book's handsome front-and-back cover flaps. Hamsters make delightful and engaging pets for both kids and adults--a point that pet expert Peter Fritzsche emphasizes as he discusses every aspect of hamster ownership and care. In addition to advice on feeding, housing, and health maintenance, this book shows hamsters at play, suggests cage accessories and toys to keep them active and alert, and discusses the breeding and care of newborn hamsters.