Asteroids and Meteorites examines the many craters on Earth that have formed as a result of meteorites or asteroids crashing into the planet, excavating huge holes and wreaking widespread destruction on the landscape. Readers will gain an understanding of the origin of asteroids, meteorites, and comets, including where they are located in the solar system and different models for their origin. Coverage also includes the physical processes that occur during the impact of these objects with the Earth along with the specific hazards associated with large and small impacts such as earthquakes,...

Offers middle and high school students with accounts of natural geologic hazards, along with the geologic processes behind them and what can be done to minimize their effects. This book presents descriptions of plate tectonics and associated hazards, such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, and soil and mineral hazards.