• 1.    Why Study Earth?
• 2.    Minerals: Building Blocks of the Planet
• 3.    Rocks and Rock-Forming Processes
• 4.    Formation of Magma and Igneous Rocks
• 5.    Formation of Sediment and Sedimentary Rocks
• 6.    Formation of Metamorphic Rocks
• 7.    Earth Materials as Time Keepers
• 8.    Journey to the Center of Earth
• 9.    Making Earth
• 10.    Motion Inside Earth
• 11.    Deformation of Rocks
• 12.    Global Tectonics:  Plates and Plumes
• 13.    Tectonics and Surface Relief
• 14.    Soil Formation and Landscape Stability
• 15.    Mass Movements: Landscapes in Motion
• 16.    Streams:  Flowing Water Shapes the Landscape
• 17.    Water Flowing Underground
• 18.    Glaciers: Cold-Climate Sculptors of Continents
• 19.    Shorelines: Changing Landscapes Where Land Meets Sea
• 20.    Wind: A Global Geologic Process
• 21.    Global Warming: Real-time Change in the Earth System 
  

OBSERVE
Integrated learning tools facilitate the inquiry-based learning method, beginning with observations and questions.

• In the Field: Chapters open with an essay that places a curious investigator in a realistic field or lab setting to observe and ask questions about geological phenomena.
• Inquiry-based learning method is further illustrated throughout the chapter with headings in the form of questions that are then wrapped up in section-ending Putting It Together boxes.
• Plate tectonics: To encourage inquiry and application of scientific reasoning, Smith and Pun establish an understanding of the nature of geologic materials and phenomena before fully developing the theory by which they are explained. Observations are first in scientific methodology, so when introducing plate tectonics in Chapter 1, the emphasis is on the general phenomena at plate boundaries.

 DISCOVER
The inquiry-based learning method is further developed as students discover the process of science as it is applied to the key concepts in geology.

• How Do We Know section in each chapter illustrates the scientific method in practice by detailing a scientific study to show how knowledge of the chapter content was obtained.
• Real connections: Integrated real-world connections link topics to issues of societal concern or relevant experience to increase appreciation of the value of discovering science.  
• Plate tectonics: The background introduced in Chapter 1 permits integration of plate tectonics into the chapters that follow, culminate in thorough development of the theory in Chapter 12 (after students have a firm grasp of the geological materials and structural features required to understand the theory) instead of simply presenting salient features as undisputed fact.

VISUALISE
Artful visualisations enhance the inquiry-based learning method.

• Art for Observation: Annotated illustrations with thoughtful descriptions help students visually observe the hypotheses that culminate throughout the inquiry-based learning method.
• Plate tectonics:  Figure 12.43 offers a dynamic illustration of plate motions through geologic time and is accompanied by an Active Art animated tutorial online.