Textbook

The Blue Planet: An Introduction to Earth System Science, 3rd Edition

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The Blue Planet: An Introduction to Earth System Sciences, 3^rd Edition is an innovative text for the earth systems science course. It treats earth science from a systems perspective, now showing the five spheres and how they are interrelated. There are many photos and figures in the text to develop a strong understanding of the material presented. This along with the new media for instructors makes this a strong text for any earth systems science course.

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Table of Contents

Part I. The Earth System: Our Place in Space

1. The Earth System

2. Matter

3. Energy

4. The Solar System

Part II. The Geosphere: Earth Beneath Our Feet

5. The Dynamic Geosphere

6. Earthquakes and Volcanoes

7. The Rock Cycle

Part III. The Hydrosphere: Earth's Blanket of Water and Ice

8. The Hydrologic Cycle

9. The Frozen Hydrosphere

10. The World Ocean

Part IV. The Atmosphere: Earth's Gaseous Envelope

11. The Atmosphere

12. Wind and Weather Systems

13. The Climate System

Part V. The Biosphere: Life on Earth

14. Life, Death, and Evolution

15. Energy and Matter in Life Systems

16. Earth's Major Ecosystems

17. Habitat, Interactions, and Diversity

Part VI. The Anthrosphere: Humans and the Future of Earth

18. Earth's Resources

19. The Changing Earth System

New To This Edition

Improved coverage of the biosphere, atmosphere, and the oceans
Adding pedagogy to make the content more accessible
Better discussion of all spheres
New media for instructors
New organization with 3 chapters devoted to each of the five spheres
A new emphasis on cycles, the pathways that matter and energy take between and among the spheres
New feature, “Make the Connection,” highlights the interactions within and among the spheres.
“The Basics” sections cover important background information such as states of matter (Chapter 11), and the Koppen system of climate classification (Chapter 13)
“A Closer Look” sections go more deeply into advanced topics

Hallmark Features

Systems approach connects all the processes of earth sciences into a "holistic" approach so students learn how these are connected.
The book contains beautiful photos and figures explaining complex processes.
Many chapters contain a guest essay written by a researcher. These essays help students relate the material of the chapter to today's on-going research.
"A Closer Look" provides more detail on specialized topics within the chapters.