Foundations of Earth Science, 9th edition

For all introductory Earth Science courses.

Excite students about the world around them

Foundations of Earth Science is the brief version of Earth Science by Lutgens, Tarbuck and Tasa. This straightforward text presents up-to-date coverage of geology, oceanography, meteorology and astronomy that's ideal for undergraduates with little or no science background. Uncomplicated writing, a stunning Illustration program, and a structured learning path combine to excite students about the world around them.

The 9th Edition presents updated content, the latest data and applications, and new data analysis activities. Many discussions, case studies, examples and illustrations are updated or revised.

A learning experience that brings Earth science to life 

• UPDATED - Content, data, and information ensures Foundations of Earth Science is current, relevant, and highly readable for beginning students. Many discussions, case studies, examples, and illustrations have been updated or revised.
• REVISED - Organization in the geology portion of the text supports better comprehension of the material. The unit on Forces Within now precedes the unit on Sculpting Earth's Surface. This was done in response to many users and reviewers of previous editions who wanted the theory of plate tectonics presented earlier in the text because of the unifying role it plays in our understanding of planet Earth. Of course, each unit is basically independent of the others and can be taught in any order desired by the instructor.
• NEW & UPDATED - SmartFigures give students a variety of ways to access the five types of dynamic media below to help them visualize physical processes and concepts. All SmartFigures can be accessed through media links in the text or embedded links in Pearson eText, and are also assignable in Mastering Geology.
• NEW & UPDATED - SmartFigure Project Condor Quadcopter Videos feature three geologists, using a quadcopter-mounted GoPro camera, who venture into the field to film key geologic locations and processes. These process-oriented videos can be accessed through media links in the text or through embedded links in the eText, and are also assignable in Mastering Geology.
• NEW & UPDATED - SmartFigure Mobile Field Trips in the air and on the ground take students to iconic locations with geologist-pilot-photographer Michael Collier to learn about iconic landscapes in North America and beyond that relate to discussions in the chapter. These extraordinary field trips can be accessed through media links in the text or through embedded links in the eText, and are also assignable in Mastering Geology.
• NEW & UPDATED - SmartFigure Tutorials present students with a 3- to 4-minute feature (mini lesson), most narrated and annotated by Professor Callan Bentley. Each lesson examines and explains the concepts illustrated by the figure in the text. With over 150 SmartFigure Tutorials inside the text, students have a multitude of ways to enjoy art that teaches. The tutorials can be accessed through media links in the text or through embedded links in the eText, and are also assignable in Mastering Geology.
• NEW & UPDATED –Brief SmartFigure Animations created by text illustrator Dennis Tasa animate a process or concept depicted in the textbook's figures. With media links in the text and embedded links in the eText, students are given a view of moving figures rather than static art to depict how geologic processes move throughout time. The animations are also assignable in Mastering Geology.
• NEW & UPDATED - SmartFigure Videos are short video clips that help illustrate diverse subjects, such as mineral properties and the structure of ice sheets, and include new media such as quadcopter drone videos of coastal erosion in California. These videos can be accessed through media links in the text or embedded links in the eText, and are also assignable in Mastering Geology.

Provide students with a structured learning path

• REVISED! An active learning path consists of six main parts: Focus on Concepts, Concept Checks, Give It Some Thought, Concepts in Review, Examining the Earth System, and Data Analysis. By breaking up chapters into smaller modules, the text changes the way students learn and retain information. Rather than passively read through long passages of exposition, students can absorb manageable bits of information, assess their knowledge of it, and go back and review the material as needed.
• Focus on Concepts is a set of numbered learning objectives at the beginning of the chapter that corresponds to each major section of the chapter and identifies the knowledge and skills that students should master by the end of the chapter. This feature helps students prioritize key concepts.
• Concepts Checks. Within each chapter, every major section concludes with Concept Checks that allow students to monitor their understanding and comprehension of significant facts and ideas.
• Concepts in Review at the end of the chapter coordinate with Focus on Concepts and provide a concise overview of key ideas by using photos, diagrams, and questions that test students' understanding of core concepts.
• Give It Some Thought questions and problems are found at the end of each chapter and challenge learners by involving them in activities that require higher order thinking skills to analyze, synthesize, and apply chapter material.
• Examining the Earth System are chapter-concluding sections that present problems and questions intended to develop awareness and appreciation for some of the Earth systems' many interrelationships.
• NEW - Brief, end-of-chapter Data Analysis activities send students outside of the book to online science tools and datasets from organizations such as NASA, NOAA, and USGS, empowering students to apply and extend chapter concepts and develop their data analysis and critical-thinking skills. Students can use these data resources to create their own maps in MapMaster 2.0.

Help students visualize physical processes

• UPDATED - An unparalleled visual program features more than 100 new, high-quality photos and satellite images, dozens of figures are new or have been redrawn by illustrator Dennis Tasa. Maps and diagrams are frequently paired with photographs for greater effectiveness, and figures have additional labels that narrate the process being illustrated and guide students as they examine the figures.
• Eye on Earth chapter sections provide aerial or satellite views that challenge students to apply their understanding of basic facts and principles. A brief explanation of each image is followed by critical-thinking questions.
• GEOgraphics are striking visual magazine-style geo-essays that explore topics that promote a greater understanding and add interest to each story.

Also available with Mastering GeologyMastering® empowers you to personalize learning and reach every student. This flexible digital platform combines trusted content with customizable features so you can teach your course your way. And with digital tools and assessments, students become active participants in their learning, leading to better results. Learn more about Mastering Geology.

Teach your course your way

• Pearson eText is an easy-to-use digital textbook available within Mastering that lets students read, highlight, take notes, and review key vocabulary all in one place.Seamlessly integrated videos and other rich media engage students and bring concepts to life. Educators can easily customize the table of contents, schedule readings, and share their own notes with students so they see the connection between their eText and what they learn in class — motivating them to keep reading and keep learning. Learn more about Pearson eText. 
• With Learning Catalytics™, you'll hear from every student when it matters most. You pose a variety of questions that help students recall ideas, apply concepts, and develop critical-thinking skills, and students respond using their own smartphones, tablets, or laptops.
• Dynamic Study Modules areassignable modules that pose a series of question sets about a course topic. Questions adapt to each student's performance and offer personalized, targeted feedback to help them master key concepts. Students can use their computer or the MyLab and Mastering app to access Dynamic Study Modules. Available for select titles. 
• Pre-Lecture Reading Quizzes ensure that students complete the assigned reading before class and stay on track with reading assignments. Reading Quizzes are 100% mobile ready and can be completed by students on mobile devices.

Deliver trusted content

• GigaPan Activities allow students to take advantage of a virtual field experience with high-resolution picture technology that has been developed by Carnegie Mellon University in conjunction with NASA. Activities are assignable in Mastering and accessible to students through the Study Area.
• Geoscience Animations illuminate the most difficult-to-visualize topics from across the physical geosciences, such as solar system formation, hydrologic cycle, plate tectonics, glacial advance and retreat, global warming, and more. The animation activities include audio narration, a text transcript, and assignable questions with specific wrong-answer feedback. Animations are assignable in Mastering and accessible to students through the Study Area.
• GEODe Tutorials provide an interactive visual walkthrough of each chapter's core content through animation, videos, illustrations, photographs, and narration. Created by Dennis Tasa, activities include assessment questions to test those concepts with hints and wrong-answer feedback. Tutorials are assignable in Mastering and accessible to students through the Study Area.
• GeoTutor Activities are based on data collected from educators across the country, addressing the topics most often ranked as tough for students to understand in a visually compelling way. Activities are assignable in Mastering and accessible to students through the Study Area.

Empower learners

• NEW & UPDATED - SmartFigures give students a variety of ways to access the five types of dynamic media below to help visualize physical processes and concepts. All SmartFigures are assignable in Mastering Geology and can be accessed through the Study Area of Mastering Geology..
• NEW & UPDATED - SmartFigure Condor Quadcopter Videos feature three geologists, using a quadcopter-mounted GoPro camera, who venture into the field to film key geologic locations and processes. These process-oriented videos can be accessed through media links in the text or through embedded links in the eText, and are assignable in Mastering Geology.
• NEW & UPDATED - SmartFigure Mobile Field Trips in the air and on the ground take students to iconic locations with geologist-pilot-photographer Michael Collier to learn about iconic landscapes in North America and beyond that relate to discussions in the chapter. These extraordinary field trips can be accessed through media links in the text or through embedded links in the eText, and are assignable in Mastering Geology.
• NEW & UPDATED - SmartFigure Tutorials present students with a 3- to 4-minute feature (mini lesson), most narrated and annotated by Professor Callan Bentley. Each lesson examines and explains the concepts illustrated by the figure in the text. With over 150 SmartFigure Tutorials inside the text, students have a multitude of ways to enjoy art that teaches. The tutorials can be accessed through links in the text or through embedded links in the eText, and are assignable in Mastering Geology.
• NEW & UPDATED –Brief SmartFigure Animations created by text illustrator Dennis Tasa animate a process or concept depicted in the textbook's figures. Through links in the text and embedded links in the eText, students are given a view of moving figures rather than static art to depict how geologic processes move throughout time. The animations are also assignable in Mastering Geology.
• NEW & UPDATED - SmartFigure Videos are short video clips that help illustrate diverse subjects as mineral properties and the structure of ice sheets, and include new media such as quadcopter drone videos of coastal erosion in California. These videos can be accessed through links in the text or through embedded links in the eText, and are assignable in Mastering Geology.
• NEW & UPDATED - MapMaster 2.0 Interactive Activities. inspired by GIS, these activities allow students to layer various thematic maps to analyze spatial patterns and data at regional and global scales. Now fully mobile, with enhanced analysis tools, the ability for students to geolocate themselves in the data, and the ability for students to upload their own data for advanced map making, this tool includes zoom and annotation functionality with hundreds of map layers leveraging recent data from sources such as the PRB, the World Bank, NOAA, NASA, USGS, United Nations, the CIA, and more. MapMaster 2.0 assessments in Mastering Geology are available to assign.