Earth’s Underground Structures

Earth’s Underground Structures is part of the “Underground Worlds” series. The series focuses on natural and manufactured structures and systems. Earth’s Underground Structures looks at naturally occurring underground landforms around the world, such as caves, volcanoes, rivers, and fault lines. Topics include the world’s largest cave, Hang Son Doong in Vietnam which was finally located in 2009. Many of the underground landforms have been discovered by accident over time, but modern technology has played a role recently in locating and investigating underground locations.

Like other books in the “Underground Worlds” series, Earth’s Underground Structures presents interesting content using many excellent photos and graphic illustrations supported by sparse text. Each topic includes a “DID YOU KNOW?” circle text box. In the chapter, “Subterranean Sea”, about a recent scientific discovery of what may be the world’s largest water reservoir, “DID YOU KNOW? the subterranean sea could contain more than three times as much water as all of Earth’s oceans combined!”

One of my favourite features of the layout of the books in the “Underground Worlds” series is the grass growing at the top of many pages. It is a graphic reminder that the information is all ‘underground’.

The series follows the standard nonfiction format, including a table of contents, glossary, index, and a short list of books and websites with further information on the topics.

Although the books are only 32 pages long and the text content is limited, the format is sure to catch the interest of many students and may entice some to dig further into some of the engaging topics. (Pardon the pun. I couldn’t resist.)