The author of L’Epuisement de la Terre (Odile Jacob, 2006), Daniel Nahon is professor emeritus at Paul Cézanne University, in Aix-en-Provence, and an honorary professor at the Institut Universitaire de France. A geochemist, he specialises in soils in regions with hot climates.
Roland Trompette is a geological engineer at the Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières (BRGM) and a research director at the Centre National de Recherche Scientifique (CNRS). He is the author of Terre, une planète singulière (2003).


Everything you need to know about the various aspects of the Earth, in 37 short lively chapters: the Earth’s place in the Universe, its composition and how the continents evolved, the development of the Earth’s fauna, flora, climate, etc.
Readers will discover, for example, why the sea is salty; why the Sahara was once covered with ice; how ocean currents function; what lies in the Earth’s core; how mountains are created and how they disappear.

• In this priceless handbook about our planet two experts in geology share their enthusiasm with the reader. The result is a highly successful example of scientific popularisation.
• Concise, accessible entries on each subject, with illustrations and a complete range of questions and answers.