This book is a wonderful introduction to a new discipline, the geosciences, which integrates diverse fields to explain the intimate connections between fascinating and seemingly unrelated phenomenaDLthe shapes of continents, earthquakes, the locations of mountains and volcanoes, weather and climate, and the evolution of life.DLS. George Philander, Princeton University; author of Is the Temperature Rising? Earth Story follows scientists as they unravel the secrets of our planet. When and how was the Earth formed? What is the connection between undersea volcanoes and the origin of life? How do earthquakes help to create the continents? How do mountains affect the climate, and what triggers Ice Ages? Based on an eight-part BBC series that will air on The Learning Channel beginning in November 1998, this book answers these questions and others as it moves from the formation of the planet to the present day. Lavishly illustrated in color with photographs, charts, and state-of-the-art graphics, Earth Story focuses on the views of contemporary scientists who have changed the way we think about the world, tracing the complex and fascinating relationship between humans and our ever-changing planet. The book begins by examining how European naturalists first realized that the Earth was an ancient planet. The authors discuss the oceans and how studying them began the plate- tectonics revolution. They cover the connection between earthquakes and volcanoes and explore the mysteries of the Earth's core, mountain formation, climatology, and ice ages.

The book describes the early atmosphere and its relation to the evolution of life and closes with a discussion of the evolution of the solar system. Two surprising themes emerge as this story unfolds. First, aspects of the Earth that seem quite distinctDLsuch as earthquakes, volcanoes, glaciers, and the weatherDLare in fact intimately related. From its molten core to the outermost reaches of its atmosphere, the planet operates as one vast interlinked system. Second, scientists are beginning to realize that geological activity was vital to the origin of life and the process of evolution. As the authors show, life in turn has an enormous impact on the planet itself. Only a geologically active planet can sustain life, and yet living things play a vital role in maintaining that geological activity.