Investigate Earth Science

Familiarize readers to the wonders of the world's lakes and rivers with this introductory text. Using easy to understand language and key science vocabulary, the text illuminates the differences between lakes and rivers, how lakes and rivers form, and why they are important to people. Young scientists are launched into an exploration of the longest rivers, deepest lake, and highest waterfall. They find out the significance of rivers to ancient cultures and learn their uses in contemporary society. photographs, fast facts, and a hands-on activity further engage readers in learning about the vast world of water.

Glaciers are icy giants that come and go with the ice ages. This first look at glaciers explores how they have shaped, and continue to shape, Earth's landscape. From the ice sheets of Antarctica to the glacial basins of the Great Lakes, readers learn about the amazing power of ice on the move. Using concise language and introductory science vocabulary, this book answers questions that curious young scientists wonder about. How do glaciers form? How do glaciers shape Earth? What is their future? Color photographs, fast facts, and a hands-on activity augment the informative text.

We often look at mountains as something beautiful to admire. This informative book describes the processes that create mountains over time. It examines plate movements along faults, volcanic activity, and other actions that have formed Earth's mountains over billions of years. Photographs, diagrams, and step-by-step explanations guide readers to a deeper understanding of the processes that shape our planet. In a fun follow-up activity, readers use available materials to model a mountain-building process on their own.

How were some of the world's most magnificent canyons formed? It's a long story that goes back millions of years. This compelling book about Earth's canyons provides students with the geological basics that will spark their interest in the forces of wind and water over time. Color photographs and fun facts enhance the engaging text, which allows readers to travel the world learning how some of the most familiar canyons formed. They'll also explore how wind and water shaped Tsangpo Canyon in Tibet, the world's deepest canyon. In a follow-up activity, kids can get their hands dirty and model some of Earth's processes themselves.

Most volcanoes just look like mountains, until bam! They erupt with either smoke and ash or lava. Engaging and accessible text describes and illustrates some of the most common ways that volcanoes form and erupt. Readers will be able to see how Earth's crust moves as plates, revealing the fierce activity of the layer below. Diagrams and cross sections of volcanic activity make the subject clear and easy to grasp. In a simple follow-up activity, readers model a volcanic hot spot in Earth's crust, mimicking the formation of the Hawaiian Islands.

Islands are a diverse and fascinating type of landform. This easy-to-follow narrative takes readers from the island-building volcanoes of the Pacific to the ice sheets of the world's largest island. Using simple language and key science vocabulary, the text illuminates subjects that young scientists wonder about. How do islands form? How does life occur on islands? What impact do people have on islands? Readers learn about amazing animals that flourish on islands, as well as measures taken to protect them. Color photographs, fun facts, and a hands-on activity shine a light on these unique geographical features.