Earth Sciences

For readers of Bill Bryson, Neil deGrasse Tyson and Siddhartha Mukherjee, a wondrous, wildly ambitious, and vastly entertaining work of popular science that tells the awe-inspiring story of the elements that make up the human body, and how these building blocks of life travelled billions of...

Cosmos is one of the bestselling science books of all time. In clear-eyed prose, Sagan reveals a jewel-like blue world inhabited by a life form that is just beginning to discover its own identity and to venture into the vast ocean of space....

The author of Cod and The Basque History of the World takes an extraordinary look at an ordinary substance — salt, the only rock humans eat — and how it has shaped civilization from the very beginning....

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER The riveting true story of the Galveston hurricane of 1900, still the deadliest natural disaster in American history—from the acclaimed author of The Devil in the White City “A gripping account ... fascinating to its core, and all the more compelling for being...

The bestselling author of The Professor and the Madman and The Map That Changed the World examines the enduring and world-changing effects of the catastrophic eruption off the coast of Java of the earth's most dangerous volcano -- Krakatoa. The legendary annihilation in 1883 of the...

A sweeping and revelatory new history of the age of dinosaurs, from one of our finest young scientists. ""THE ULTIMATE DINOSAUR BIOGRAPHY."" — Scientific American The dinosaurs. Sixty-six million years ago, the Earth’s most fearsome creatures vanished. Today they remain one of our planet’s...

How the Earth Works takes you on an astonishing journey through time and space. In 48 lectures, you will look at what went into making our planet - from the big bang, to the formation of the solar system, to the subsequent evolution of Earth....

The author of Finding the Mother Tree and scientist who pioneered the concept of sophisticated communication between trees, Suzanne Simard now offers a powerful vision for saving our forests based on nature’s deep-rooted cycles of renewal. "A masterclass on the inner workings of forests...

The story of the American West is the story of a relentless quest for a precious resource: water. It is a tale of rivers diverted and dammed, of political corruptions and intrigue....

THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW EDITORS' CHOICE AN ECONOMIST BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR Sand, salt, iron, copper, oil, and lithium. These fundamental materials have created empires, razed civilizations, and fed our ingenuity and greed for thousands of years. Without them, our modern world...

More than a hundred salt lakes dot Earth's surface, most of them hidden away in remote desert valleys. But today nearly all of them are at risk of drying up. Their death is a harbinger of rising sea levels, life-threatening dust storms, and environmental collapse.

Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859) was an intrepid explorer and the most famous scientist of his age. His restless life was packed with adventure and discovery....

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER A vivid account of a major shift in how we understand Earth, from an exceptionally talented new voice. Earth is not simply an inanimate planet on which life evolved, but rather a planet that came to life. “Glorious . . . full of achingly beautiful passages...

New from the author of the acclaimed bestseller The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs (“A masterpiece of science writing.” —Washington Post) and “one of the stars of modern paleontology” (National Geographic), a sweeping and revelatory history of mammals, illuminating the lost story of...

How well do you know the ground beneath your feet? A primer for every Earth resident, by Harvard’s acclaimed geologist. “A sublime chronicle of our planet."" –Booklist, STARRED review Odds are, where you’re standing was once cooking under a roiling sea of lava, crushed by a towering...

Worlds in Collision - written in a brilliant, easily understandable, and entertaining style and full to the brim with precise information-can be considered one of the most important and most challenging books in the history of science....

“Immersive . . . bracingly ambitious . . . rewinds the story of life on Earth—from the mammoth steppe of the last Ice Age to the dawn of multicellular creatures over 500 million years ago.”—The Economist LONGLISTED FOR THE BAILLIE GIFFORD PRIZE “One of those rare books that’s...

“You'll root for these creatures and their survival. A marvelous narration.”—Booklist “Paleontologist Riley Black’s vivid writing and Wren Mack’s wonderstruck narration make these vignettes of prehistoric life on Earth fascinating listening.”—AudioFile Winner, A Friend of Darwin...

Robert Macfarlane delivers his masterpiece: an epic exploration of the Earth's underworlds as they exist in myth, literature, memory, and the land itself....

World renowned scientist, Dr. Gerald Pollack, takes us on a fantastic voyage through water, showing us a hidden universe teeming with physical activity - providing simple explanations for common everyday phenomena, which you have inevitably seen but not really understood....

Cutting-edge techniques across biology, chemistry, physics, and geology have transformed our understanding of the deep past, including the discovery of a previously unknown mass extinction....

In this radical new approach to Earth’s biography, Robert M. Hazen reveals how the co-evolution of the geosphere and biosphere has shaped our planet into the only one of its kind....

The epic stories of our planet's 4.54-billion-year history are written in strata―ages-old remnants of ancient seafloors, desert dunes, and riverbeds striping landscapes around the world.

A Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist Winner of the J. Anthony Lukas Award A landmark work of science, history and reporting on the past, present and imperiled future of the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes—Erie, Huron, Michigan, Ontario and Superior—hold 20 percent of the world’s supply of...

Deep is a voyage from the ocean's surface to its darkest trenches, the most mysterious places on Earth....

More than a hundred salt lakes dot Earth's surface, most of them hidden away in remote desert valleys. But today nearly all of them are at risk of drying up. Their death is a harbinger of rising sea levels, life-threatening dust storms, and environmental collapse. Writer and geographer Caroline Tracey didn't know this when she began crossing paths with salt lakes during her early twenties. From the Great Salt Lake to the Aral Sea, across the American West and around the world, the unusual beauty of these shimmering, uncanny bodies of water captured her imagination.

Groundwater monitoring technicians play a critical role in protecting environmental resources and ensuring the safety of subsurface water systems. This comprehensive study guide provides a clear, structured explanation of the technical knowledge used in groundwater monitoring, including monitoring well installation, environmental sampling procedures, hydrogeology principles, field instrumentation, groundwater flow behavior, and environmental safety practices. The book explores how groundwater moves through geological formations, how monitoring wells are installed and maintained, and how ...

Modern communities rely on vast underground networks that quietly move wastewater away from homes, businesses, and industries. Sewer system maintenance technicians play a critical role in keeping these systems functioning safely and efficiently. This comprehensive guide explains how wastewater collection systems operate and how technicians inspect, clean, maintain, and protect the infrastructure that supports public health. The book covers essential technical topics including sewer pipeline inspection, cleaning equipment, lift stations, flow monitoring, preventive maintenance, and ...

Water quality plays a critical role in homes, businesses, and industrial facilities, and water conditioning contractors are responsible for designing, installing, and maintaining systems that ensure safe and reliable water treatment. Conquer the Water Conditioning Contractor Exam provides a comprehensive technical guide covering the core knowledge required to understand modern water conditioning systems and treatment processes. This book explores the science and engineering principles behind water conditioning, including water chemistry, hardness removal, filtration systems, ion exchange ...

Master the essential skills and technical knowledge required to excel as a monitoring well installer. This comprehensive study guide covers all aspects of well construction, from site investigation and drilling techniques to screen selection, filter pack placement, and casing installation. Learn how to evaluate formations, design wells for reliable sampling, and apply proper safety protocols. Explore the principles of groundwater movement, hydraulic response, and aquifer types, and gain a deep understanding of water level measurement, sampling methods, and instrument deployment. Detailed ...

Master the fundamentals of geothermal well drilling with this comprehensive study guide. Covering every aspect of loop installation, casing, grouting, and borefield configuration, the book provides clear guidance on creating reliable, efficient geothermal systems. Understand the physics of heat exchange, thermal response, and flow dynamics, while exploring operational considerations such as pumping, manifold coordination, and surface equipment integration. Detailed insights into drilling rate, directional control, and formation behavior equip you with practical knowledge for successful ...

Master the principles behind pump installation, operation, and system performance with this comprehensive technical guide designed for serious learners and working professionals. This book explains how pumps function, how systems interact, and how each component contributes to reliable fluid movement under real operating conditions. Every chapter builds practical understanding of mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, and environmental factors that influence pump systems. The guide explores pump types, flow behavior, pressure relationships, intake design, piping layout, controls, and ...

Prepare for success in wastewater collection operations with this comprehensive study guide designed for operators seeking mastery of sewer system management. Covering everything from pipeline hydraulics and lift station function to debris removal and inspection techniques, this guide provides clear explanations of critical concepts and operational principles. Each topic is presented in a concise, audiobook-friendly format, allowing operators to absorb information efficiently while working in the field or studying on the go. Understand the practical challenges of maintaining a collection ...

Dawn and dusk – those fleeting, half-lit hours – are when the ordinary becomes extraordinary. In THE SECRET WORLD OF TWILIGHT, author and smallholder Sally Coulthard invites us into this magical in-between realm, where seductive night-blooming flowers open, secretive mammals stir, giant moths reign and fantastical sea creatures ride the tide. Blending natural history, folklore and memoir, Coulthard reveals twilight as a vital, liminal force: one that has inspired awe for millennia and still has the power to illuminate our daily lives.

Master the essential concepts and practical skills required to operate a wastewater treatment plant with confidence. This comprehensive study guide covers biological treatment, clarification, disinfection, sludge management, chemical dosing, instrumentation, and laboratory testing. Each topic is presented clearly and concisely, emphasizing core operational principles while providing detailed insight into process control, hydraulic management, and effluent quality. Designed for operators preparing for licensing exams or seeking professional mastery, this guide balances technical depth with ...

A herd of bison standing in the snow. Layered bluffs of multicolored sandstone. A silver Airstream trailer on a mountain highway. These are familiar sights for Neil Mathison and his wife, Susan. Newly retired, their son in college, they embark upon a great American road trip "uncoupled from the tyranny of calendars or a specific journey."

Master the essential skills and knowledge required for installing and managing onsite wastewater systems with this comprehensive study guide. From site assessment to component installation, this guide covers soil evaluation, system layout, and drainfield design in clear, audiobook-friendly language. Learn how to ensure hydraulic balance and proper distribution in a variety of soil and terrain conditions. Explore mechanical systems including pumps, dosing mechanisms, and sensor-controlled flow. Understand how these components interact with soil absorption and biological treatment processes ...

Master the principles and practices of modern water treatment with this comprehensive study guide for water treatment operators. Covering filtration, chemical dosing, disinfection, process control, and water quality monitoring, this guide provides a complete overview of the essential technical knowledge needed to operate and manage water systems effectively. Each chapter delivers detailed explanations of key concepts, ensuring operators understand both theory and practical application. The guide addresses critical treatment processes, including coagulation, sedimentation, softening, ...

地学は「地球を対象とする自然科学」の学問。「地理」「地質」「鉱物」「海洋」「気象」等ジャンルが幅広く興味深い話題も多い。地球の誕生から、火山のメカニズム、異常気象、化石と宝石など図解で楽しくわかりやすく勉強になる1冊。

Below the waves, the ocean remains a largely undiscovered realm, with only 25% of its features mapped in detail. What we know about its depths, we've learned with the help of deep-sea robots. World-renowned robotics expert James Bellingham introduces listeners to this compelling world of contemporary undersea exploration and the vital role autonomous robots play in corporate and governmental aquaculture management, climate data, energy source locations, shipwreck explorations, and much more.