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Geology in a Nutshell

Quick introductions with lots of links to learn more.

What Is Geology?

The whole of Earth sciences, compressed to a nutshell.

Phosphate in a Nutshell

This underappreciated substance is more important than you know.

Asbestos in a Nutshell

This mineral resource has been first a boon, then a bane in its century of commercial existence.

Landslides in a Nutshell

Landslides make landscapes the way sculptors work: by removal.

Global Warming in a Nutshell

A skeleton key to this enormous topic.

Volcanoes in a Nutshell

Volcanoes are places where lava comes from the ground and builds a pile.

Earth's Formation in a Nutshell

The straight story of how Earth began, as today's geologists tell it.

Evolution in a Nutshell

The theory of evolution grows out of common sense and a simple hypothesis.

Rock Identification in a Nutshell

These tables will help you identify almost any rock you're likely to find.

Earthquakes in a Nutshell

Start here for the seismic basics.

Fault Types in a Nutshell

The three basic types of fault, with their nomenclature.

Focal Mechanism Diagrams in a Nutshell

Those mysterious earthquake "beachball" diagrams explained.

Plate Tectonics in a Nutshell

A simple starting point for the basics of plate tectonics. It links to the next eight pages.

Volcanism in a Nutshell

Volcanism is more than volcanoes: it's what recycles the Earth's crust.

Petroleum in a Nutshell

A growing tree of articles about this important geologic commodity.

Coal in a Nutshell

Introducing coal: how it forms, what's in it, what it tells us.

Explore Geology

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