Intended to challenge new students and provide a solid foundation for more advanced students, this set offers information in an encyclopedic format on the concepts, theories, discoveries, pioneers, and issues relating to topics in the earth sciences. It is the latest in a series that includes World of Genetics [RBB Je 1 & 15 03] and World of Chemistry (Gale, 2000). Contributors and their affiliations are listed at the beginning of volume 1. The set includes approximately 650 entries, from Abyssal plains to Zeolite. Students will appreciate the clearly written articles as well as the fact that special attention is placed on current ethical, legal, and social issues pertaining to the earth sciences, such as pollution, global warming, and ozone depletion.