This is a comprehensive reference to 700 minerals, rocks, plants and animal fossils from around the globe and how to identify them, with more than 2000 photographs and illustrations. It is an essential reference book for amateur geologists and palaeontologists, revealing how rocks and fossils form, sites and habitats, classification, and a photographic guide. Extensive illustrated directories feature profiles of over 700 rocks, minerals and plant and animal fossils, describing their qualities and properties, and specification factfiles. It features over 1200 photographs of rocks and fossils for easy identification plus more than 800 artworks, including timescales, structural artworks of rocks and minerals, and reconstructions of fossilized plants and animals. It includes detailed information on safe extraction, home testing techniques, safe cleaning and how to display specimens - all you need to build an impressive collection. Rocks, minerals and fossils have a timeless fascination. This expert book provides a complete reference for anyone interested in the earth sciences. The book's major feature is its two extensive visual directories - one on rocks and minerals and one on fossils - containing over 700 in-depth specimen profiles. Information boxes give facts and figures such as type and location, and artworks and reconstructions show the structure-type of rocks and how each fossil originally looked. It provides all the facts anyone needs about the hugely absorbing subjects of geology and paleontology. This impressive work is beautiful to look at and will engage every reader.

From “What is a rock?” to dinosaur fossils and meteorites, this stunning book explores everything you ever wanted to know about rocks and minerals. With its sparkling cover, out-of-this-world artwork from Anna Alanko, and expert content written by two geologists, this is the book all rock-crazy kids need. Rocks are all around us, from explosive volcanoes, magnificent mountains, and sandy deserts, to muddy sea floors, winding river valleys, and even asteroids in outer space! They are also in our computers, smartphones, medicines, buildings, airplanes, and space shuttles. Understanding how rocks form helps us to understand how the Earth and the solar system work, and how the Earth has changed over millions of years and how it might look in the future. This dazzlingly illustrated guide covers every aspect of this important topic: Igneous rocks Sedimentary rocks Fossils Metamorphic rocks Space rocks Gemstones Did you know that there is a bus-sized potassium crystal feldspar in Russia? Or that most of the gold, silver and platinum found at the Earth’s surface is thought to have arrived on meteorites from outer space? Complete with fascinating side notes, an illustrated explanation of the rock cycle, a geological timeline, beautiful images of a vast array of rocks and gems, and a helpful glossary at the back, The Rocking Book of Rocks will captivate and astound rock-lovers of all ages.

A stunning visual reference book for little geologists who love to find fascinating rocks all around them. Identify colorful gemstones, sparkly crystals, the toughest rocks, and ancient fossils. Packed with fun facts, information, and extensive photos all about the rocks and minerals that make up the world around us. Interactive learning that engages young scholarly minds. Learn about 64 different types of rocks and minerals, how to tell the difference between them and where to find them. Dig into all the interesting geological materials from deep space to the deepest caves. You'll even discover glow in the dark minerals and living gems! Find out about the stuff our world is made of, and how rocks and minerals form over time. This captivating book introduces children to hands-on science with fun activities like starting your own impressive rock collection and how to stay safe on your rock finding missions. Written for kids aged 6 to 9 with bite-sized information and explanations. The easy-to-understand language gives them a rock-solid foundation for science subjects. The geology book includes the phonetic pronunciation of the rock and mineral names so your little one will sound like a rock expert in no time. Rockin' It With Stones And Minerals - Stunning high-quality photographs. - Inspiring activities for little Earth scientists. - Over 64 types of rocks, their properties, and how they are formed.

Discusses the physical properties of various rocks and minerals and gives instructions for collecting and identifying specimens.

Describes hundreds of minerals and lists their geographic distribution, physical properties, chemical composition, and crystalline structure.

Uncover the intriguing world beneath our feet Rocks and Fossils reveal the state of the planet now and what the future may bring, including clues about the shifting, changing nature of the continents, mountain ranges, oceans, and islands. Rocks and Fossils is a beautifully illustrated book that brings life to the seemingly timeless landscape. It explains geological concepts in relevant and familiar terms. Lively illustrations reveal a vast, hidden world via cross-sections and cutaways with explanatory captions. The book explores the internal engine of our planet -- the liquid iron core unique among terrestrial planets, which is the catalyst for the creation and destruction of land, mountain, and oceans. Rocks and Fossils is organized in six main sections: The Dynamic Earth: the ever-changing nature of the world Ancient Worlds: life from the Precambrian era to the age of humans Key Features: how rocks and fossils form Rocks and Fossils in the Landscape: where to find fossils Minerals: How they form and why some are precious Fossils: signs of life from single-cell organisms to dinosaurs. Rocks and Fossils explains the fossil record to show how prehistoric lifeforms are linked to plants and animals still on Earth. Why did some species survive and others perish? What does the future hold?

This is the ultimate photographic guide to all types of rock, an essential reference book for even the most experienced geologist, with many tips on sourcing rocks in the field and identifying collected specimens. The first part of the book will give amateurs and enthusiasts a thorough grounding in how rocks are made.The second part is a photographic directory of 150 different rocks, grouped by major categories and composition. It covers such ancient rocks as greenstone, rare rocks like eclogite, pegmatites - prized for their beauty - and much more. Practical information and checklists to aid classification make this the perfect fieldbook.