Scientific American Investigates Geology

Known as "fire rocks," igneous rocks can form deep underground or on the surface and can be created from a volcanic eruption! Understanding the kinds of rocks that emerge from the super hot melted rock found beneath Earth's surface is an exciting reading experience. Accessible content allows readers to enhance their science curriculum. A graphic organizer presents the material in an understandable way, as fascinating photographs provide an in-depth glimpse at the fire rocks. Readers will be as intrigued as they are dazzled by these incredible rocks!

The polished gems in a beautiful necklace, a countertop, and table salt each have something in common: they're made of Earth's minerals. Readers are introduced to the formation of these minerals through age-appropriate fact boxes and a graphic organizer. Vivid photographs of minerals clarify information about identifying minerals using streak and hardness, allowing readers to further their STEM learning outside the classroom. It is a learning experience that truly rocks!

You might have already noticed weathering and erosion in the world around you, be it potholes in the road or an overflowing stream after a bad storm. Readers are introduced to the basic concepts of weathering and erosion in an accessible, fun way that supports the science curriculum. Descriptive fact boxes and an understandable graphic organizer presents the material in an age-appropriate and engaging way, while full color photographs enhance the reading experience. Readers uncover the many things they see in their daily lives--from water and salt to plants and animals--that each play a role in the process of weathering and erosion.

Metamorphic rocks are fascinating--they form from other kinds of rock and have undergone a change in temperature, pressure, or physical stress that has made them look different. Readers learn about the various ways metaphoric rocks change and form, as helpful graphic organizers detail the process and full-color photographs display them up close. This volume is sure to further readers' STEM learning, as metamorphic rocks are an important part of learning and understanding the rock cycle.

Much of Earth is comprised of rock, from the continents people live on to the melted rock within the core of the planet. Rock comes in a variety of shapes, sizes, and compositions, notably including sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic. Readers learn about the natural processes that create each type through accessible fact boxes and a helpful graphic organizer detailing the parts of the cycle. Vivid photographs enhance the reading experience and contribute a visual element to an important part of the STEM curriculum.

From the sand underneath your feet on the beach to the pebbles underneath your shoes on a hiking trail, sedimentary rocks are the most visible type of rock on Earth! Readers learn about the formation of these fascinating rocks and why they can be found in so many common places throughout this volume. Achievable fact boxes and a simple graphic organizer present the material in a comprehensible way for curious readers--and especially budding geologists! Vivid photographs help to clarify the main content.