This fourth edition of Arthur Holmes' Principles of Physical Geology returns to the three-part structure of the original book. Following a preliminary survey of the subject, the external processes affecting the Earth's crust are described, as well as the internal processes.

This text assumes no prior knowledge of geology and provides an introduction to the science and the place of geology in the world we live in. It covers of all aspects of geology, starting with a broad view of the Earth as a planet, and developing all the major themes of contemporary geology.