With its unique approach, this second edition captures the reader's attention and demonstrates why physical geography is relevant to them. It relies heavily on the integration of National Geographic and other visuals with narrative to explore key concepts. New emphasis is placed on environmental issues, such as climate change, overpopulation and deforestation, from a geographical perspective. Readers will appreciate this approach because it vividly illustrates the interconnectedness of physical processes that weave together to create our planet's dynamic surface and atmosphere.

Tim Foresman earned his Ph.D. degree in Geography from the University of California at Santa Barbara. He is adjunct Professor of Geography at University of Maryland and president of the International Center for Remote Sensing Education.  He has over 100 professional articles and books on environmental protection and sustainable development using the applied tools of geography, including remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS). His pioneering work in spatial information systems and geographic information systems includes a seminal publication on the history of GIS and a Lifetime Achievement Award from ESRI.  His active research and field studies have included tenure with the US Department of Defense, US Environmental Protection Agency, NASA, and the United Nations Environment Programme. His international recognition includes service as adjunct professor at Coventry University in England and Qinghai University in China, as well as visiting professor at Keio University in Japan. He was elected as Fellow of Sigma Xi, the scientific research society

Alan Strahler earned his Ph.D. degree in Geography from Johns Hopkins in 1969, and is presently Professor of Geography at Boston University. He has published over 250 articles in the refereed scientific literature, largely on the theory of remote sensing of vegetation, and has also contributed to the fields of plant geography, forest ecology, and quantitative methods. In 2011, he received the Pecora Award from the US Geological Survey and the American Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing in recognition of his work in remote sensing. He has also been awarded the Association of American Geographers/Remote Sensing Specialty Group Medal for Outstanding Contributions to Remote Sensing. With Arthur Strahler, he is a coauthor of seven textbook titles with twelve revised editions on physical geography and environmental science. He holds the honorary degree D.S.H.C. from the Université Catholique de Louvain, Belgium, and is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Preface

1 Discovering the Earth's Dimensions

2 The Earth's Global Energy Balance

3 Air Temperature

4 Atmospheric Moisture and Precipitation

5 Global Atmospheric and Oceanic Circulation

6 Weather Systems

7 Global Climates and Climate Change

8 Earth from the Inside Out

9 Plate Tectonics, Earthquakes, and Volcanoes

10 Weathering and Mass Wasting

11 Fresh Water of the Continents

12 Landforms Made by Running Water

13 Landforms Made by Wind and Waves

14 Glacial and Periglacial Landforms

15 Global Soils

16 Biogeographic Processes

17 Global Biogeography

Appendix:

Answers to Self-Tests

Glossary

References

Text, Table and Line Art Credits

Photo Credits

Index