Developed by three experts to coincide with geology lab kits, this laboratory manual provides a clear and cohesive introduction to the field of geology. Introductory Geology is designed to ease new students into the often complex topics of physical geology and the study of our planet and its makeup. This text introduces readers to the various uses of the scientific method in geological terms. Readers will encounter a comprehensive yet straightforward style and flow as they journey through this text. They will understand the various spheres of geology and begin to master geological outcomes which derive from a growing knowledge of the tools and subjects which this text covers in great detail.

Characterizing the in-place conditions of rock masses commonly depends upon continuous diamond-core drilling for site investigation or resource characterization. However, because of incomplete or inconsistent core descriptions, potentially valuable information may be lost or unavailable for other users. This situation suggested the potential value of photographic core-logging manuals and descriptive codes to facilitate consistency in core description and ease in the transfer and computerization of these descriptions. To that end, this article describes the development of such manuals and codes using the U.S. eastern gas and oil shales as examples. Although the described manual was developed specifically for these rocks because of their energy-related significance, the concept and coding scheme are readily applicable to core description for all types of engineering and geological purposes.