Table of Contents

PART ONE: EARTHChapter 1: Planet EarthChapter 2: Geological TimeChapter 3: On the InsideChapter 4: Plate TectonicsChapter 5: Strata and Land Eras Part One TestPART TWO: MINERALS AND ROCKS Chapter 6: Igneous RockChapter 7: Sedimentary RockChapter 8: Metamorphic RockChapter 9: Minerals and GemsChapter 10: FossilsPart Two TestPART THREE: SURFACE NEWSChapter 11: VolcanoesChapter 12: EarthquakesChapter 13: OceansChapter 14: AtmosphereChapter 15: Weathering and TopographyPart Three TestFinal ExamChapter Quiz AnswersPart Test AnswersFinal Exam AnswersAppendix I: Conversion FactorsAppendix II: CrystalsReferencesInternet ReferencesIndexAbout the Author

About the Author

Linda D. Williams is a nonfiction writer with specialities in science, medicine, and space. She works in the Weiss School of Natural Sciences at Rice University, Houston, Texas. A resident of Houston, Texas, Ms. Williams' work has ranged from biochemistry and microbiology to genetics and human enzyme research. She has worked as a technical writer and chief scientist at NASA and McDonnell Douglas, and served as a science speaker for the Medical Sciences Division of NASA-Johnson Space Centre. She is the author of two other popular volumes in this series, Earth Science Demystified and Chemistry Demystified.