Encyclopedias, dictionaries, and biographical and statistical sources are useful starting points when you need some background, or references to a few key articles, or to familiarize yourself with key terms, issues, events, or people.
Encyclopedia of Quaternary Science (2nd ed., 2013)
Edited by Scott Elias and Cary Mock
Contains 357 articles across a range of topics. Written at a level for undergraduate comprehension and serves as ready reference for the field.
A dictionary of geology and earth sciences (4th ed., 2013)
Edited by Michael Allaby
This Oxford University Press dictionary covers geology and related areas including planetary science, volcanology paleontology, and mineralogy.
Encyclopedia of Paleoclimatology and Ancient Environments (1st ed., 2009)
Edited by Vivien Gornitz
This is part of the Encyclopedia of Earth Science Series and offers 230 articles in the field of paleoclimatology.