Earth is a pictorial explanation of the forces that shape our planet, illustrated with four-colour illustrations and photographs, cutaway drawings and maps. The book is divided into four sections - Planet Earth discusses life support systems and ecosystems; The Interior explains how the inner core- including plate tectonics and geysers - affects the planet's workings; Shaping the Land describes how water has physically shaped the earth and examines oceans, winds, and weathers; and How Long Can It Last? looks at the present deterioration and future survival of the planet. There are colourful illustrations showing Earth structures and mechanics, sequential drawings showing the formation of geological features (islands, weather systems, volcanoes, etc.) and large-scale colour photographs depicting the earth's features as they are today.