This beautifully illustrated book reveals the astounding variety and beauty of the rocks and minerals all around us. Many stunning images show rocks from deep within Earth, rocks created and altered by heating and melting, rocks ejected from volcanoes, rocks shaped by erosion at Earth's surface, and extraterrestrial rocks that have crashed into Earth. These spectacular photographs are accompanied by clear and non-technical explanations of the main processes responsible for creating rocks and minerals. This book is for everyone interested in natural history, especially those who visit museums and national parks. The book can also be used as an introductory textbook for school students, and for non-science major undergraduate students. Earth scientists will also be thrilled by this stunning collection of images.