The changing Earth. Exploring geology and evolution / Изменяющаяся Земля. Изучение геологии и эволюции

Earth is a dynamic planet that has changed continuously during its 4.6 billion years of existence. The size, shape, and geographic distribution of the continents and ocean basins have changed through time, as have the atmosphere and biota. We have become increasingly aware of how fragile our planet is and, more important, how interdependent all of its various systems are. We have learned that we cannot continually pollute our environment and that our natural resources are limited and, in most cases, nonrenewable. Furthermore, we are coming to realize how central geology is to our everyday lives. For these and other reasons, geology is one of the most important college or university courses a student can take <...>