Lakes

by Jeanne K Hanson

Published 30 December 2006
Both a scientific tour and a journey through time, this intriguing new book profiles 10 of the world's most exciting lakes. From the Caspian Sea, a giant salt water lake, to Lake Eyre, the lake that vanishes, to the sub-Arctic Great Slave Lake, the story of each lake unfolds with a look at its origins, how it has changed over time, and why. Featured lakes are found in the Middle East, the United States, Russia, South America, Europe, Australia, and Canada. Additional lakes, described in boxed sidebars, include two explosive killer lakes in Africa and a California lake that has become an arsenictainted dustbowl. An eye-catching, full-color photographic insert, plus additional dramatic black-and-white images and illustrations, complement lively text.

Caves

by Jeanne K Hanson

Published 28 February 2007
Here is a captivating new introduction to the world's most fascinating caves. ""Caves"" explores every nook and cranny of these nature-made creations, including lava caves, sea caves, and glacial caves, from Kentucky's Mammoth Cave, to the amazing Paleolithic paintings of Lascaux, to Fingal's Cave of Scotland, which inspired Mendelssohn's Hebrides Overture. Engrossing facts about the geologic origins of these underground voids, their astonishing speleothems, or formations, such as stalactites and stalagmites, and the microscopic extremophile organisms that dwell within are enhanced by exciting full-color and black-and-white images and a wealth of other educational resources for further exploration. ""In the Field"" sections discuss fluid dynamics, carbon-14 dating, mud polarity, volcanic tremors, and additional related subjects.