About The Author

Dennis G. Tasa

Dennis Tasa has been a very renowned illustrator of many best=selling geoscience textbooks since 1978, including Laboratory Manual in Physical Geology by the American Geosciences Institute and the National Association of Geoscience Teachers, Physical Geography by Darrel Hess, as well as the physical geology, Earth science, and meteorology franchises by the famous Tarbuck and Lutgens. He has created illustrations and media for the NSF-funded projects and Mineralogical Society of America. In addition to numerous educational Earth science apps, he has worked on various Earth science media, including Pearson's GEODe. In his spare time, Tasa has joined the Taos fine art community by painting under the direction of the artist in residence at one of Taos' historic museums.

Edward J. Tarbuck

Edward J. Tarbuck and Frederick K. Lutgens have been great friends and colleagues since 1970. Between them, they have more than 58 years of experience teaching geology to undergraduate students, and both of them have been recognized with awards as excellent and inspiring professors. They share a special interest in introducing geology to beginning students and a belief in the value of field experience for students of all levels.

Tarbuck and Lutgens published their first college textbook, Earth Science, in 1976. That book, winner of the McGuffy Award from the Text and Academic Authors Association, is now in its 13th edition. In 1983, as the 1st edition of Earth was being prepared, gifted geology illustrator Dennis Tasa joined the author team. Since then the three have collaborated on more than 20 projects. Not only do Lutgens, Tarbuck, and Tasa work well together creatively; they also enjoy spending time in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains near Tasa’s New Mexico studio.

Edward enjoys downhill skiing in Colorado, fly fishing near his childhood home in Northern Minnesota, and spending time in the Cascades. Frederick is an avid runner, and when he can make the time, truly enjoys hiking the canyons of the Colorado Plateau. Although Tarbuck and Lutgens think alike on many issues, they do not agree on everything. Tarbuck prefers pop artists or a good country station, whereas Lutgens is devoted to jazz and classical music.

Frederick K. Lutgens

Dr. Frederick K. Lutgens is a Professor Emeritus at Illinois Central College. For 30+ years, Fred served as Professor of geosciences at Illinois Central College. During his career, Dr. Lutgens was awarded “The Faculty Who Make a Difference” honor in recognition of his outstanding academic performance and dedication to his students. He received his B.S. and M.S. from Illinois State University.