About the book: 1983 / It tells about the formation of the Earth as a cosmic body and its structure, the riches of the earth's interior, planetology - the science that studies the problems of the development of planets. The cosmic connections of the Earth, which determine its development, issues of continental drift and the expansion of the Earth are considered. The second edition (1st edition - 1976) is supplemented with materials on the latest achievements of planetary science; the role of volcanoes in the origin of life, environmental problems. For a wide range of readers.