"Ocean Ridges and Trenches" immerses readers in the mysteries of the world's sea floors, from the surprising creatures of the Galapagos Rift to the devastating tsunamis of the Java Trench. This new volume in "The Extreme Earth" set reveals how 10 undersea mountain ranges and valleys came to be, how and why it has changed over the span of geologic time, and its contributions to the environment. The ridges and trenches covered span the Mariana Trench, the deepest point in the ocean, and the San Andreas Fault, site of many of California's earthquakes. Each chapter provides illuminating material on environmental challenges and expert reports on science in action, with details on field studies conducted at each sea-floor site. Additional articles cover related high-interest topics, such as giant squids, magnetic fields, and plate tectonics. This book is supported with photographs and line illustrations, a glossary of scientific terms, and suggestions for finding further information.
Both a scientific tour and a journey through time, this intriguing new book profiles 10 of the world's most exciting lakes. From the Caspian Sea, a giant salt water lake, to Lake Eyre, the lake that vanishes, to the sub-Arctic Great Slave Lake, the story of each lake unfolds with a look at its origins, how it has changed over time, and why. Featured lakes are found in the Middle East, the United States, Russia, South America, Europe, Australia, and Canada. Additional lakes, described in boxed sidebars, include two explosive killer lakes in Africa and a California lake that has become an arsenictainted dustbowl. An eye-catching, full-color photographic insert, plus additional dramatic black-and-white images and illustrations, complement lively text.
This book takes readers on a globe-spanning tour of dramatic mountain formations, from block mountains to volcanic sea mountains to high-altitude-landform "sky islands." The direct text invites attention to the complexity of these peaks, their changing nature, and related environmental issues. Enhanced with resources for further investigation, "Mountains" also includes a collection of vivid photographs and line illustrations, as well as a stunning eight-page, full-color insert, sure to catch the browser's eye.
A difficult environment with a harsh Arctic climate has made life for the Finns extremely challenging. But they have overcome more than just their environment. Religious divisions that developed between the Catholic and Orthodox churches also divided the country during the Great Schism. Later, the country was a battleground for fighting between the historical powers of Sweden and Russia. Today, Finland is a communications titan, and the country is no longer situated on the fringes of human activity.
The information-packed volumes in this series provide comprehensive overviews of each nation's people, geography, history, government, economy, and culture. Abundant full-color illustrations guide the reader on a voyage of discovery, and maps reflect current political boundaries. Written by the most experienced professors teaching world regional geography, this series meets social studies and geography curriculum standards.
