Canadian Content
Given the importance of geology to Canada’s culture, economy, politics, and history, creating a Canadian edition of Physical Geology was a daunting task, with Canadian information and examples flowing throughout the text (for example, Canadian geology careers and Canadian geologists have been profiled in Chapter 1), giving a truly Canadian perspective on the discipline. Most conspicuous in the First Canadian Edition is the new Chapter 20 (Geological History of Canada), though Canadian content pervades every chapter.

Inquiry-Based Learning
The First Canadian edition of Physical Geology introduces students to inquiry-based learning by providing a series of questions at the beginning of each chapter. These questions are appropriate to the main topics covered in the chapter, and are repeated at the beginning of relevant sections in the chapter. The text demonstrates how the questions may be examined or answered. In this way, students can see how our understanding of Physical Geology and the Environment has developed through seeking answers to fundamental research questions. This form of learning can be further developed in the classroom by adopting a similar ‘question-driven’ lecturing style.

Text Organization
In addition to the Canadian content infused into the text, the First Canadian Edition of Plummer has seen additional major points of revision, including: - Updating: The text has been thoroughly revised - Text Organization: The text has been heavily reorganized into four parts: Part I describes how planet Earth works on a large scale; Part II examines the materials that make up the planet; Part III looks at the many dynamic processes that shape the surface of the Earth; (Part IV) examines the concept of geologic time and provides an overview of the geological history of Canada. - New Chapters: Chapter 2: Plate Tectonics combines Chapters 18 through 20 from the US edition, and has been very well received by reviewers. Chapter 20: Geological History of Canada is entirely new for this edition.

Design
Plummer has been created with an appealing, four-colour design, incorporating detailed graphics, maps, and photographs, as well as eye-catching tables, pedagogical boxes, and end-of-chapter learning aids. Students and instructors alike love simply looking at Plummer. Over 200 new graphics and over 120 new photos have been added to the Canadian edition.

Feature Boxes

• "Environmental Geology" boxes show how material pertaining to physical geology relates to environmental concerns.
• "Astrogeology" boxes relate topics discussed in the text to what has been discovered on other planets in our solar system.
• "In Greater Depth" boxes focus on interesting topics that are not usually an essential part of an introductory geology course.

End of Chapter Learning Aids
End of Chapter Learning Aids provide additional support for student testing, study, and review:
      - "Summaries" provide overviews of the material covered in the chapter.
      - "Terms to Remember" cover key terms for review with page references.
      - "Testing Your Knowledge" provides realistic sample tests for exam preparation.
      - "Expanding Your Knowledge" provide questions to help develop critical thinking skills.
      - "Exploring Web Resources" point to supplemental references in the Online Learning Centre and beyond.
      - "Animations" list animated features related to the respective chapters available on the Online Learning Centre.