Fundamentals of Physical Geology

This book does not invent the wheel but merely intends to put together sets of updated material
with lots of illustrations. This book is specifically designed as a single semester introductory
course book for Geology and Earth Science majors and non-majors; it aims to provide a basic
understanding of physical geology its processes and how they work. The book stems from the
idea where a diagram would encapsulate a topic in discussion. !ence all illustrations are
simplified well-labeled and hand-made to give a classroom-feel. "ll effort has been made to
make chapters# self-contained.
The book is divided into four parts. Part I$ The Solar System and Cosmic Bodies deals with
elements of our Solar System and the cosmic bodies around it %like planets meteorites
asteroids comets etc.&. Part II$ The Earth Materials deals with earth its components
%"tmosphere 'ithosphere !ydrosphere and (iosphere& hypothesis e)plaining its origin its
internal structure and various absolute and relative dating methods to access its age building of
the geological column and it#s details. Part III$ The Hydrologic System deals with the
hydrological system and processes of the earth including *eathering and +ass *asting
Streams Groundwater ,arst Glaciers -ceans and "eolian processes and landforms and
Part IV$ The Tectonic System deals with the Tectonic System such as .late Tectonics
Earth/uakes and 0olcanoes. Each chapter ends with a chapter summary highlighting the major
points discussed in the chapter. "n e)haustive Glossary is also provided which e)plains terms
used in the book. E)amples are given for events and processes e)plained in the te)t wherever
possible.
The credit for this book goes to my wife "rchna as without her this book would have never
seen the light of the day. 1t is dedicated to her immense help understanding and patience in
dealing with my odd hour writings and to my newborn son2.arth.
1 also thank .rofessors Eric !. 3hristiansen .hil Stoffer 'udovic 4erri5re and 6ames 7. '.
*hite for giving me permission to reproduce8redraw their figures. Their websites are a treasure
trove of information and a must visit for all budding geoscientists. 1 also thank 9ahul Garg for
gifting me the classic book2.rinciples of .hysical Geology by "rthur !olmes and thus laying
the foundation for this endeavor. Special thanks to Springer 1ndia to my 3ommissioning Editor
"ninda (ose and to all concerned for doing a fabulous job:
"bove all this book is a humble attempt in understanding the basics of .hysical Geology.
!ence as our understanding becomes refined and better the te)t will also improve. Therefore 1
encourage students to suggest changes and modifications that they deem fit will make this book
better and more readable.
What is Geology?
Geology deals with the study of earth its materials processes that affect them the products
formed and the earth#s history since its birth ;.<; billion years ago %=>.< billion years; inferred
from the 3anyon 7iablo iron meteorite that impacted at the (arringer 3rater "ri?ona @S"
%@SGS A>>B; 7alrymple A>>C A>>;&.
Geology not only includes processes that have shaped the earth#s surface but also involves the
study of ocean floor and the interior of the earth. Geologists %who study Geology& investigate
the composition of earth materials and various geological processes to locate and e)ploit its
mineral resources. They investigate geological phenomena such as earth/uakes and volcanoes
and attempt to predict and minimi?e their damaging effects. They study earth#s geological
history to determine the former positioning of continents and oceans the nature of ancient
climates and the evolution of life as revealed by fossil records.
!owever in order to have a better understanding of the earth and its working it is imperative to
look at processes and structures that operate today and interpret them accordingly as to what
must have had happened in the past. This is done by studying Geology. 1t is thus the science of
earth dealing with its composition structure and geological history; studying the origins
properties and compositions of both rocks and minerals.
The Branches of Geology
Geology can be broadly divided into several branches like .hysical Geology Geomorphology
Structural Geology Sedimentology +ineralogy Economic Geology etc. Table C.C details the
various branches of geology and related sciences.
Physical Geology
The term .hysical Geology was coined by an English mathematician and a geologist *illiam
!opkins in CDDE. The subject deals with the physical forces and processes that bring about
changes in the earth#s crust or to the surface of the earth on account of their prolonged
e)istence and action %4ig. C.A&. .hysical Geology is broadly divided into two branches2those
dealing with the internal dynamics of the earth %Endogenous Geology& and those with e)ternal
dynamics %E)ogenous Geology&.
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