In 1912, German meteorologist Alfred Wegener proposed that the continents were once a single land mass but had slowly moved apart over millions of years. This fascinating book examines the scientific process behind Wegener's theory and how it challenged prevailing views of the time. Learn how years after Wegener's death his theory was embraced by scientists and is now the basis for modern earth science.
The Tigris and Euphrates rivers surround a region once known as Mesopotamia, the "cradle" of ancient civilizations that included Sumer, Babylonia, and Assyria. This fascinating book follows both rivers from where they begin in Turkey, travel down through northern Syria and Iraq, and join to form the Shatt al Arab before emptying into the Persian Gulf.
This informative book follows the St. Lawrence River, once a main route of the fur and timber trades. This important commercial waterway forms part of the boundary between Canada and the United States and connects the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean. Today, a system of canals, dams, and locks lets seagoing ships travel all the way to Lake Superior.
The Nile is the worlds longest river and the birthplace of one of the greatest civilizations of the ancient world. This book takes readers along the River in the Sand. Ancient Egyptians depended on the Niles annual floods to deposit fertile soil for farming. Today, more than 70 million people still grow crops in the rivers basin and fish in its waters.
The mighty Yangtze River, the third-longest river in the world, is the birthplace of Chinese civilization. This intriguing book takes readers along this ancient transportation route, strategic natural boundary, and lifeblood of an agricultural society. The near completion of the Three Gorges Dam has displaced more than a million people and changed the river's ecosystem dramatically.
This engaging book highlights the Rhine River, a major transportation route in Western Europe. Fairytale castles and picturesque vineyards provide scenic stretches between Basel, Strasbourg, Cologne, and Rotterdam. Cooperation by Switzerland, France, Germany, and the Netherlands has helped restore the rivers health.
This amazing book reveals the facts about the Ganges, a river sacred to Hindus. Flowing through one of the most densely populated areas in the world, its banks are also the site of shrines, temples, and holy cities, including Varanasi, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.
This wonderful book takes readers along the mighty Mississippi. Often celebrated in music and literature, its exploration by explorers spurred the growth of a new nation. Today, the Mississippi not only provides transportation for agricultural and industrial goods but also supplies water for millions of people.
Second in length only to the Nile, the Amazon River carries a greater volume of water than any other river in the world. This attractive book features the fascinating facts about this far-reaching river and the animals, plant life, and indigenous cultures that live in the surrounding rain forest.
Why do people migrate to and settle in the places they do? Fascinating examples from history help explain the determining factors of migration. Readers will fascinated to read about the settling the Nile in ancient Egypt; the Industrial Revolution in Britain; the opening up of the American West; the Gold Rush; and the colonization of Australia.
Soil Erosion and How to Prvent It helps young readers see the real impact of erosion on all life. This intriguing book describes the processes of weathering, erosion, and deposition, the impact of erosion on plants and animals, and kid-friendly steps to preventing erosion.
Young readers will be astounded by the tiny organisms that live in soil, their ecological roles, and how they adapt to living there. Children will learn the value of even the smallest bacteria and be amazed by the impact that soil degradation has on an entire ecosystem.
How Is Soil Made introduces children to the concepts of organic and inorganic parts of soil, the nutrient cycles of plants, and decomposition. Complex processes such as weathering, erosion, and deposition are also made easy to understand.
Children will enjoy finding out about different types of soils from different climates, what animals and plants live in these different soils, and just how valuable soil is to human life.
The need for safe sources of renewable energy has sent scientists underground to tap the natural heat produced by the Earth. Geothermal Energy: Using Earths Furnace describes the three different ways electricity is produced from geothermal energy. Young readers will discover how this clean, safe energy is currently being used in twenty countries including the United States, the largest producer of geothermal energy.
In light of the devastating floods in 2010 in Pakistan, Brazil, the United States, and China, this informative book has been newly revised. Floods result from heavy rains and high winds that cause an overflow in water sources such as lakes, rivers, and oceans. Discover how monsoons differ from other storms and how people cope with their devastation.
This informative book has been newly revised in light of the massive eruption in Iceland in March 2010. The skies over a large part of the world were filled with volcanic ash, affecting weather and agriculture and disrupting travel for millions of people for several weeks.
This informative book has been newly revised in light of the devastating tornadoes that have swept across the United States over the last few years. 2008 was particularly fierce with clusters of tornadoes forming every month in the first half of the year.
In light of 2008's devastating cyclone in Myanmar (Burma) and hurricanes Fay, Gustav, and Ike in the U.S., this informative book has been newly revised. This book features the science behind these massive tropical storms and how societies around the world cope with their ferocity.
This informative book has been newly revised in light of the devastating earthquakes in 2010 in Chile, Haiti, Turkey, Mexico, and China. This book traces tremors and seismic waves and explains how we have prepared for the unexpected quakes that rock our cities and countryside.
Climate is the average weather in an area over many years. This timely book looks at weather patterns around the world, the factors influencing climate, such as ocean currents and jet streams, and how climate is changing today. Children will learn how people and other living things in different places on Earth are being affected by climate change and what we can do to help reduce the damage.
Life on Earth is never boring. What actually happens when Earth unleashes its fury? This title gives you an up-close look at the power of our planet. With well-researched, clearly written informational text, primary sources with accompanying questions, charts, graphs, diagrams, timelines, and maps, multiple prompts, and more, you'll know all you need to know about earthquakes! Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards.
Life on Earth is never boring. What actually happens when Earth unleashes its fury? This title gives you an up-close look at the power of our planet. With well-researched, clearly written informational text, primary sources with accompanying questions, charts, graphs, diagrams, timelines, and maps, multiple prompts, and more, you'll know all you need to know about floods! Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards.
Life on Earth is never boring. What actually happens when Earth unleashes its fury? This title gives you an up-close look at the power of our planet. With well-researched, clearly written informational text, primary sources with accompanying questions, charts, graphs, diagrams, timelines, and maps, multiple prompts, and more, you'll know all you need to know about avalanches! Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards.
Life on Earth is never boring. What actually happens when Earth unleashes its fury? This title gives you an up-close look at the power of our planet. With well-researched, clearly written informational text, primary sources with accompanying questions, charts, graphs, diagrams, timelines, and maps, multiple prompts, and more, you'll know all you need to know about hurricanes! Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards.
