Examples are the nature of Earth's oldest rocks, the origin of continents, extraterrestrial impact and mass extinctions of organisms, rates of organic evolution, and recent developments on the origin of humans.

HISTORICAL GEOLOGY, Sixth Edition, presents a balanced overview of the geological and biological history of Earth as a continuum of interrelated events that reflect the underlying principles and processes that have shaped our planet. Students are taught the basic geologic principles as well as how scientists apply these principles to unravel Earth’s history. Coverage includes the historical development of these basic principles and processes as well as their importance in deciphering Earth history. Three major themes -- time, evolutionary theory, and plate tectonics -- are woven together throughout the book to help students link essential material and enhance their understanding of historical geology. The Sixth Edition has been thoroughly updated to include the formation of the Earth-Moon system, information about the evolution of populations as a whole, and coverage of climate change throughout the text, placing an emphasis on what we don’t know within the historical geology field as compared to what we do know. Important Notice: Media content referenced within the product description or the product text may not be available in the ebook version.

The fossil record; The record of the sedimentary rocks; Precambrian eras; Paleozoic era; North America; World outside North America; Paleozoic life; The mesozoic era; Mesozoic life; Gondwana formations; The cenozoic era; Cenozoic life; Pleistocene epoch; Introduction to animals and plants.

HISTORICAL GEOLOGY: EVOLUTION OF EARTH AND LIFE THROUGH TIME teaches students basic geologic principles as well as how scientists apply these principles to unravel Earth's history. Wicander and Monroe present a balanced overview of both the geological and biological history of Earth as a continuum of inter-related events. These events reflect the underlying principles and processes that have shaped our planet. The authors also explain the historical development of these basic principles and processes, and their importance in deciphering Earth history. Three major themes - time, evolutionary theory, and plate tectonics - are woven together throughout the book. These themes help students link essential material to enhance their understanding of historical geology.