Geology isn't just the study of Earth and its history. It's the study of volcanoes, earthquakes, diamonds, gold, fossils, and glaciers! Inside this detailed guide, readers will learn about these topics and a lot more. Information is presented in a series of fascinating geological facts that are sure to capture readers' attention. Dazzling photographs of Earth and its many resources help draw in readers and aid in reader comprehension.

The French word terroir is used to describe all the ecological factors that make a particular type of wine special to the region of its origin. James E. Wilson uses his training as a geologist and his years of research in the wine regions of France to fully examine the concept of terroir. The result combines natural history, social history, and scientific study, making this a unique book that all wine connoisseurs and professionals will want close at hand. In Part One Wilson introduces the full range of environmental factors that together form terroir. He explains France's geological foundation; its soil, considered the "soul" of a vineyard; the various climates and microclimates; the vines, their history and how each type has evolved; and the role that humans--from ancient monks to modern enologists--have played in viticulture. Part Two examines the history and habitat of each of France's major wine regions. Wilson explores the question of why one site yields great wines while an adjacent site yields wines of lesser quality. He also looks at cultural influences such as migration and trade and at the adaptations made by centuries of vignerons to produce distinctive wine styles. Wilson skillfully presents both technical information and personal anecdotes, and the book's photographs, maps, and geologic renderings are extremely helpful. The appendices contain a glossary and information on the labeling of French wines. With a wealth of information explained in clear English, Wilson's book enables wine readers to understand and appreciate the mystique of terroir. The French word terroir is used to describe all the ecological factors that make a particular type of wine special to the region of its origin. James E. Wilson uses his training as a geologist and his years of research in the wine regions of France to fully examine the concept of terroir. The result combines natural history, social history, and scientific study, making this a unique book that all wine connoisseurs and professionals will want close at hand. In Part One Wilson introduces the full range of environmental factors that together form terroir. He explains France's geological foundation; its soil, considered the "soul" of a vineyard; the various climates and microclimates; the vines, their history and how each type has evolved; and the role that humans--from ancient monks to modern enologists--have played in viticulture. Part Two examines the history and habitat of each of France's major wine regions. Wilson explores the question of why one site yields great wines while an adjacent site yields wines of lesser quality. He also looks at cultural influences such as migration and trade and at the adaptations made by centuries of vignerons to produce distinctive wine styles. Wilson skillfully presents both technical information and personal anecdotes, and the book's photographs, maps, and geologic renderings are extremely helpful. The appendices contain a glossary and information on the labeling of French wines. With a wealth of information explained in clear English, Wilson's book enables wine readers to understand and appreciate the mystique of terroir.

Readers learn about rocks and gems through the lens of 20 fun and interesting questions.

Timed to coincide with the release of Walter Isaacson’s latest biography on the famous painter and inventor, as well as the latest thriller in Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code series, this book includes 101 in-depth facts about Leonardo Da Vinci. 101 Things You Didn’t Know About Da Vinci provides you with all the fascinating facts you didn’t know about the famous artist, inventor, and creator of the Mona Lisa and the Vitruvian Man, including details about his personal life, information about his inventions and art, his interactions with his contemporaries, and his impact on the world since his death. Some facts include: —Da Vinci was left handed, and wrote from right to left, even writing his letters backwards. —Da Vinci’s The Last Supper started peeling off the wall almost immediately upon completion, due to a combination of the type of paint Leonardo used and the humidity —Among Leonardo’s many inventions and creations was a mechanical lion he created to celebrate the coronation of King François I of France Whether you’re seeking inspiration, information, or interesting and entertaining facts about history’s most creative genius, 101 Things You Didn’t Know About Da Vinci has just what you’re looking for!

Fossils are pieces of the past! They can show us a lot of information about the plants and animals that lived long ago on Earth. This detailed book has a wealth of information about what fossils can show us and how paleontologists learn from them. This can include facts about plants, dinosaurs, extinction, and even life with climate change in the future. Graphics provide more context, and full-color photographs show young scientists that they too can be fossil hunters!

GEOLOGY IS THE SCIENTIFIC STUDY OF THE EARTH, its composition, its processes, and the forces that act upon it. It is a broad subject that covers very specific aspects from glaciers and volcanoes, to gem stones and energy resources, to changing land formations and mass extinctions. It includes every area - the earth's core, ocean floor, deep canyons, mountaintops, and even the atmosphere. Geologists spend most of their time outdoors, often in remote areas. They dig up fossils, take soil samples, create maps, and gather lots of photographic evidence. They study the weather and investigate potential geological activity in order to predict natural disasters and potentially save people from the ravages of tornadoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, or volcanic eruptions. There are dozens of different jobs that a geologist can hold. Each utilizes the knowledge and skills acquired from the same basic training and education. What any one geologist does depends on the job title or area of specialization. For example, environmental geologists are concerned with the safe use of natural resources. They test soil and water for signs of toxins after accidents, help create plans for cleanup, and make sure areas are safe for residents. Hydrogeologists work primarily with water. They study how water moves, how and where it becomes available to communities, ways to increase water supplies, and how to minimize possible pollution. Petroleum geologists search for sources of oil and gas, and develop methods for safe extraction. The minimum educational requirement to become a geologist is a bachelor's degree in geology, though many employers prefer a master's degree. In either case, those entering the field can expect to find jobs waiting for them. In fact, industry leaders predict that some areas will experience shortages of trained professionals as the demand for renewable and safe energy, more accurate hazard weather plans, global environmental safety, and answers to the threat of climate change grows in importance.