Have you ever marveled at the immense oceans, climbed a mountain, or looked up at the moon? Earth's story is filled with drama. The powerful churning of Earth's interior causes earthquakes and volcanoes, and thrusts mountains up toward the sky. At the same time, the sun's radiance drives the winds and rains of erosion, tearing down the mountains as fast as they go up. Earth's surface is constantly shifting, and in these chapters I will tell you how and why.

I have always loved to climb mountains, and thought they were beautiful and mysterious. When I studied Earth science and learned how they formed, I enjoyed them even more! You will find that the remarkable things in nature—like jewels, oceans, and stars—will seem even more fascinating when you learn how they formed.

This is the perfect time to study Earth science. The more than six billion people who live on Earth are now the most powerful geological force on Earth's surface. Rapidly changing environments will result in the extinction of many plant and animal species by the end of this century. With great power must come great responsibility. If we all understand our planet a little better, we will take better care of it. So, learn about Earth, and then enjoy it—there's nothing else like it in the solar system!