This book is an introduction to the science of geology, intended for use by students in the early stages of their education. It covers the major processes and phenomena that shape the Earth's surface, including plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, and erosion. It is illustrated with diagrams and photographs, and provides a comprehensive overview of the subject. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.