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Earth: An Introduction to Physical Geology

For courses in Physical Geology. An all-new, groundbreaking media package brings to life the latest edition of the best-selling Earth by Ed Tarbuck and Fred Lutgens. A text-dedicated website, new GEODe II CD-ROM (included with every copy of the text!), and more provide complete, state-of-the-art multimedia support for both students and instructors. An Introduction to Physical Geology, Sixth Edition retains the hallmarks professors have come to expect from Tarbuck and Lutgens-a student-friendly writing style, carefully crafted illustrations by Dennis Tasa that are geologically accurate and visually appealing, and coverage of the most recent geologic events.

672 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1999

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5 stars
140 (35%)
4 stars
127 (32%)
3 stars
69 (17%)
2 stars
34 (8%)
1 star
24 (6%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
Profile Image for Daniel Cunningham.
230 reviews36 followers
March 23, 2021
This is very much an introductory geology textbook. Breadth vs depth, covers things I think anyone passingly familiar with pop-sci would already know, etc. but that was perfect for me. I could re-read it again a time or two, skip that stuff, and just focus on the mineral and rock types, their formation, faulting, etc. and get more out of this, which is always a good sign.

For my purposes, novice, lay-person, this was a great intro.
87 reviews
July 5, 2010
Had to read this for my geology class. It was pretty good.
Profile Image for Tami Latorre.
28 reviews11 followers
August 10, 2022
Muy recomendado, el libro está muy completo y abarca diversos temas relacionados en cómo funciona la Tierra. Desde tectónica de placas a glaciares, mencionando además cómo se forman las costas y por qué se formaron así, explica brevemente las atmósferas y composición de otros planetas, volcanes, minerales, energías y muchas cosas más. La verdad se convirtió en uno de mis libros favoritos, ya que me ayudó bastante con un ramo qué cursé en la Universidad. Así que, si te gustaría saber cómo funciona el sistema Tierra léelo, No te arrepentirás.
Profile Image for Celeste.
208 reviews2 followers
April 5, 2018
3.75 stars.
Informative and full of pictures and helpful diagrams. Provides online resources that students should be able to access and is quite helpful. When it comes to purchasing this textbook for classes and such, I would recommend checking around for prices. If your class requires you to use MasteringGeology, check up on whether or not you can buy a cheap used copy and an access code for Mastering for cheaper than buying this bundle!
Profile Image for Kurami Rocket.
483 reviews11 followers
June 20, 2018
Had to read this for my Geology 101 course. It was very informative as an introduction to Geology. So you will really get a feel as to how it is to study and work in this field. However, this textbook was difficult to understand. I had to look up youtube videos and other sources of information to try and understand all this. Still, an informative and sometimes interesting read.
Profile Image for Shannon.
713 reviews14 followers
Did Not Finish
August 15, 2021
DNF'd at page 302

I actually put this down in November of 2016, when I had to drop the class which it was for. I actually wouldn't mind finishing this, but I'm not going to put in the time or money to track down an old textbook when I can find something else on the subject that's easier and cheaper to access.
10 reviews
January 26, 2017
This book is really good if you are interested in Earth Science. The concepts and the book is interesting so its not boring to read, and it covers almost all aspects of Earth and Space Science. I recommend it if you want to learn about the wondrous Earth.
1 review
Want to Read
November 23, 2024
is an excellent resource for both students and educators interested in the foundational concepts of geology. The textbook is well-regarded for its clarity, depth, and comprehensive coverage of key topics, including Earth materials, surface processes, plate tectonics, and geologic time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Cris.
4 reviews
November 26, 2021
El mejor libro para cualquier estudiante de geografía o geología
Profile Image for Daniel Morgan.
782 reviews31 followers
May 10, 2019
This book is decent. In general, it gives very basic introductions that lack a lot of details. For example, on page 363 the upper layer of an ophilolite is described as "sediment" and "deep-sea sediment" instead of naming the characteristic chert, and on page 366 the author includes a map and discussion of the East Africa Rift without mentioning that the Gulf of Aden is the dead third arm of the rift zone. However, for the parts that it DOES cover, the book offers very simple explanations that somebody who is totally new to the subject can still understand.
4 reviews1 follower
April 22, 2015
Really great book. Read it throughout the semester as I was taking Physical Geology at the university. Makes things clarified and easily understood throughout great examples and the scan-able smart figure videos. Includes questions at the end of each section to make sure you're in-check with the information required.
Profile Image for Jimyanni.
670 reviews23 followers
May 8, 2011
This text covers a lot of material, and manages to do so quite thoroughly and even fairly readably. It is a useful textbook for any "Intro to Geology" class, and would even be useful for someone interested in exploring the subject on their own, outside of a classroom.
Profile Image for Kaylynn Johnsen.
1,268 reviews6 followers
August 13, 2013
It has been over 25 years since I had a science class, but my love of learning never ends. My nephew William took this class and thought I might like this textbook because I love rocks. It was informative and easy to navigate. I even learned some new things.
Profile Image for Tammy King Carlton.
229 reviews26 followers
February 9, 2008
By far, my favorite of all of my geology texts - one that I still refer to often, and keep close at hand, now that my children are picking up rocks and poking in the dirt, too.
Profile Image for Troy.
406 reviews4 followers
January 27, 2011
I found this text extremely helpful in my introductory level geology course. The book presents information at an accessible level and provides helpful visual aids to accompany the text.
Profile Image for Chris Gager.
2,063 reviews89 followers
January 30, 2012
Selected to represent two different college courses, one at Metro State and one at CU. Date is approximate.
Profile Image for Lori.
65 reviews
January 16, 2014
Great intro to Geology textbook with incredible illustrations!
Profile Image for Sarahandus.
98 reviews
October 25, 2015
This certainly fills in some of the gaps in my knowledge of geology. A few more reading and I may learn more, it's certainly all there.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews