Product Description
This updated guide has been expanded with 39 new hikes.

*90 hikes, many off the beaten path
*New appendices list hikes by rock age, collectible minerals or fossils present, and more; plus a new illustrated section on rock identification

Visit tropical islands sequestered in the Wallowa Mountains, ancient volcanoes in the depths of Hells Canyon, and Cascade valleys carved by glaciers towering far above your head. All it takes is a little imagination (yours) and geologic savvy (provided by a professional). Aided by photos and illustrations, unlock the mysteries of the landscape through which you walk. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent guide to exploring Oregon's geology
This is a great book for anyone wanting to take hikes to see representative geology and to read a geological description of what they're seeing.The author details ninety hikes, mostly day hikes, in all corners of the state.The 'trailhead' directions are clear and easy to follow as are the descriptions of the trails. The book opens with an excellent 14 page introduction to Oregon's geological history and a nice appendix on indentifying rocks minerals. Dr. Bishop also wrote the 'In search of ancient Oregon', an outstanding overview of the states geological history. ... Read more

Product Description
South Dakota fills the landscape with geologic diversity, from the glaciated rolling prairies in the east, across the Missouri River, and west to the rugged Badlands Wall and granitic domes of the Black Hills. Written for the layperson and amply illustrated with photographs, maps, and diagrams, this book describes and interprets the rocks and landforms visible along the state's highways and the geology that lies hidden beneath prairie sod and in caves and mine shafts. Included are geologic tours of the Black Hills, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Badlands National Park, Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, and many other points of interest. ... Read more

Product Description
Field Geology Illustrated is a reliable, in depth field reference for professional geologists, serious amateur geologists, and other environmental scientists. This entirely new second edition represents the first detailed, comprehensive book on field geology in 20 years. Richly illustrated with 688 high-quality photographs and 300 interpretative sketches, this 704-page book is printed on glossy paper to show important strucutural and textural features. Contents include marine geological surveys, plutonic rocks, volcanic rocks, continental deposits, marine deposits, deformed rocks (joints, faults, folds, cleavage) weathering processes and soils, ground water, mineral deposits, and the public land survey system. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Very Good, but.......
I have both editions and this edition is a remarkable improvement. However, the author who has vast experience in marine geology, decided to take up precious space in an early chapter on this topic since, according to him, we live on a planet covered by water. I think instead 15-20 pages introducing geologic maps and elementary structure(especially after his introductory chapter on the history of US geological surveying) would serve the reader far better--who probably will have little opportunity to particpate in 'field' marine geology.
Maley lists standard field geology books in the reference section (Compton, etc), but field geology for the beginner/student involves understanding field maps, not just photos, as good as these pics are. A few pages covering geologic maps makes sense for a field geology book with over 700 pages.

Superb field manual
This is just a great field manual. It's packed with useful information and the illustrations are plentiful and really add to the reader's understanding since they are usually fully explained in great detail. Using photos and geological examples mostly from the Pacific Northwest, the photos dramatically illustrate many of the most important concepts. The text is also very well written, and the whole manual is detailed and thorough. Overall an extremely well done, practical, and detailed treatment of the subject. And not the least of its virtues is that it's printed on high quality, glossy paper. And finally, at only 35 bucks the price is quite reasonable for what you're getting.

Buy this book!
How I wish I had found this book earlier!The best geology book I've ever bought.It gives illustrations of just about everything along with some descriptions of what you are looking at. It's almost like an illustrated geology dictionary/glossary, and gives many pictures both as drawings and photos to help the reader understand what they are seeing.It is a great asset for all geology classes.If you are someone studying geology this is a must have book!!

Great field guide for the novice...
I wanted a book that would show me actual field situations of common geologic phenomenon.Being a novice, I needed something that I could easily carry and that would not undermine detail.Maley's excellent book fills the bill very well.The numerous illustrations and photographs in this book are extremely useful if you want to "see" and understand geology.Many of the pictures have inset scale standards, such as quarters and measuring rulers, that give one a good comparasion of the rocks and sediments involved.I also appreciate the black and white pictures.Often geology texts go in for snazzy color pictures that often blurr important detail.If you want a good field guide that you can actually use this book is for you.

Field Geology Illustrated is worth its weight in gold.
Field Geology Illustrated is an excellent, concise introductory guide to recognizing geological features in the field.Its explanations and descriptions of structural geology are especially informative.The photographs and figures are outstanding and clearly display fascinatinggeological phenomena.Perfect for novice and advanced students. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The classic manual of the techniques of field geology
For decades this little book was the primary text for many a university's summer field camp (the geologist's equivalent of boot camp.) It does contain in condensed form most of the practical skills that a field geologist needs for collecting and documenting samples, preparing standardised sections and maps, and writing a formal report.

The manual is organised as follows: 1) Observing and Collecting Data and Samples, 2) Using the Compass, Clinometer, and Hand Level, 3) The Compass Traverse, 4) Plotting Geologic Features on a Base Map, 5) Mapping Geologic Features on Aerial Photographs, 6) The Alidade and Plane Table, 7) Control for Geologic Maps, 8) Geologic Mapping with the Alidade and Plane Table, 9) Making a Geologic Map from Aerial Photographs, 10) Detailed Mapping and Sampling, 11) Preparing Geologic Reports, 12) Field Work with Sedimentary Rocks, 13) Field Work with Volcanic Rocks, 14) Field Work with Igneous and Igneous-appearing Plutonic Rocks, and Field Work with Metamorphic Rocks. The appenixes include 1) check lists of equipment and supplies (you do not want to be in the middle of the mountains or desert and discover that you forgot something vital), 2) standard field note abbreviations (other people have to be able to decipher those field notes), 3) percentage estimation charts, 4) geologic map symbols, 5)lithologic symbols for cross sections, 6) an isogonic chart for compass correction, and 7) trig tables.

If you can master these skills then you are competent to do theinitial geologic field work from the Gobi Desert to Antarctica to...Mars. If you haven't mastered most of these skills, then you aren't really a Geologist.

This book should be thoroughly read at least once BEFORE you get to field camp. ... Read more

Product Description
"Geology underfoot in Southern Utah" explores the stories behind 33 handpicked sites.Marvel at tales of ancient eruptions, deserts, seas, and swamps. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Sorry, but not up to par from this publisher.
Seriously lacking detailed maps, geologicals and/or cross-sectionals, topographic or satellite, anything useful in color.If I hadn't already known the area, I wouldn't be very interested in re-visiting.For a lover of southwestern US geology, that's sad.

I know it's not a "Roadside Geology of..." but Southern Utah deserves more than this very light work.

This is the first time I've regretted a purchase from Mountain Press Publishing.Ever.The "Roadside Geology" series suffers only from a few states' having dated entries, but they're useful nonetheless.I'd be more cautious with the "Geology Underfoot..." set. ... Read more

Product Description
Unraveling Alaska's complex and fragmented geologic history would have baffled Sherlock Holmes. Alaska is a mosaic patchwork, a collage of continental scraps swept in from the Pacific and added, one after the other, onto the far northwest corner of the continent. Here are the rocky foundations of Alaska, every bit as exotic as the landscape they support, just as varied and vital as the people who live in that landscape.Due to the rugged terrain and limited road access, this is not just a "roadside" book--it describes the geology of southeast Alaska as one might see it from the observation lounge of one of Alaska's comfortable ferries traveling the marine highway. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Roadside Geology of Alaska
Great book for a traveller interested in Geology and travel.The material is refined to fit your travel program and has a general overview of the state.

GeoNewbie
This is a great book!! If you live in, or are interested in visiting Alaska, be sure to read this. Then with all that is within you, attempt to check out what it says in the field. It is written by geologists who actually live in Alaska. It is great to read along with a rock and mineral identification guide, so you can more easily identify them in the field later. Buy it, read it. ... Read more

Product Description
Cave Geology is the definitive book on the subject by an internationally recognized authority. It can be easily understood by non-scientists but also covers a wide range of topics in enough detail to be used by advanced researchers. Illustrated with more than 500 black-and-white photographs and 250 diagrams and maps. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

the best cave geology book
I was looking forward to this book during all the years it was rumored to be forthcoming, because even Palmer's journal articles are unusually lucid. I am not disappointed. This is a very nice book.

In the first nine chapters, Palmer leads the reader through all the principles of the geology of solution caves, from elementary concepts of geology through difficult topics like the chemistry and dynamics of limestone dissolution. To have done all this in a way that should be understandable to a high-school senior is a considerable feat of organization and ability to anticipate students' questions. There is no calculus, and where algebraic equations are used, he generally walks the reader through a numerical example. He is careful to clarify things that might be misunderstood, such as that by lower, applied to a negative quantity such as 34S, he means more negative, not closer to 0. He is careful to define technical terms he uses, and he even footnotes the pronunciation of things like gneiss, polje, and Cvijic, a boon to those of us who learn our geology from books instead of lectures. When a mechanism is of possible theoretical interest but unlikely to be significant except in unusual circumstances, he is careful to point that out. In some of the later of these chapters, his enthusiasm for giving examples from around the world does result in a few that are just curiosities and others that are not explained very clearly or completely. This and a certain amount of gratuitous citing of references are symptoms of some indecision about whether the book was to be a textbook or a scholarly monograph, but at least the reader is exposed to the full diversity of solution caves.

Subsequent chapters discuss cave minerals, lava caves, airflow and weathering in caves, and dating of passages and speleothems. A chapter on research techniques describes Palmer's methods for making careful and accurate vertical surveys of passages in order to study the effect of geologic structure on a cave, a specialty of his, and also briefly mentions geophysical techniques, although even a professional geologist will need specialist help with those. The fifteenth chapter briefly surveys applications of cave geology to other fields like land management and water supply. There are over 750 figures, nearly two per page. The roughly one thousand references listed are almost all in English and almost all from books or academic journals on paper (the scholarly monograph won out here).

The layout by the author is fully professional, and there are only a very few typos or editing glitches.

"Cave Geology" is not only the best major book on the subject available, it is also the cheapest. The main text is 405 large pages with two columns of fairly small type, so there is a lot there, and you won't read it in a couple of days or even a week. And, while you should understand most of it while you're reading it, you won't have learned it all. I still haven't, even with the help of the other ten thousand pages of cave geology I've read over too many years. But you will absorb the general ideas, and this is the book you will go back to later for the details.--Bill Mixon

cave geology
This is an excellent book written by one greatest cave and karst geologists in the world.It contains information that is useful for cavers, geology students and anyone interested in cave geology.It is fully understandable with no background in the subject.A must have for any caver. ... Read more

Product Description
Coal Geology covers all aspects of coal geology in one volume, bridging the gap between the academic aspects and the practical role of geology in the coal industry.

It examines the environmental implications of mining and using coal, addresses how modern computer methods are facilitating coal studies, and reviews the changing market for coal and its usage in the present and future industrialised economies.Includes current thinking on environmental issues

Product Description
The only guide to the Grand Canyon that combines hiking and geology—unlocking the mysteries of the landscape, step by step.

· Newest addition to the popular Hiking Geology series
· Appendices cover additional geologic information for the non-geologist
· Everything needed to plan the trip, including permits, lodging and camping, mule rides, and recommended day trips

Etched on the Grand Canyon’s steep walls are stories of how this majestic landscape came to be: volcanic islands, stark deserts, and tranquil seas come and gone, and histories of plants and animals that have made this place their home. You’ll read this story up close on the trail with the help of Hiking the Grand Canyon’s Geology. In 18 excursions, there’s something for everyone: from the most popular rim-to-river trails (Havasu Canyon Trail) to gentle, half-day rim walks (Red Butte Trail) to rugged and remote, multi-day backpack trips (Lava Falls Route). ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Don't just Hike - Experience!
I purchased this book as a reference while working on my DVD Hiking Guide to the Grand Canyon (Jon's DVD Hiking Guides - Grand Canyon National Park) and I found it to be invaluable.

If you want to truly experience the place that you are hiking in then you need to be able to do at least some interpretation of the natural world around you. In the Grand Canyon, geology is paramount.

This book is excellent in that it has something for everyone. I believe that Geology Majors would not feel that the subject has been "dumbed down", but it also enlightens those (like myself) who have little knowledge of the subject.

Knowing about Grand Canyon geology makes the topography come to life. It sparks the imagination as you imagine what the area looked like while each rock layer was being deposited.

For those planning a trip to the Grand Canyon I think of this book as an addition to another Grand Canyon hiking book or DVD. Its focus is geology, and leaves out a lot of information that most books or DVDs that are focused solely on hiking contain.

Fantastic Reference
After many years of hiking and studying the Grand Canyon, this text was a true delight and an eye-opener. The explanations of the geology associated with each step down the different trails really brings to life the geological history of the Canyon. The book provided new insight on trails that I have been over many times before and has added to my appreciation and understanding of the Canyon. Many thanks to the authors!

Outstanding Intro to Geology--Plus Hiking Info.
I highly recommend this book even if one has no present intention of hiking in the Grand Canyon (though I have to say that, after reading it, I now find it imperative to go there in the very near future).The Introduction and Appendices of this book together comprise the most informative, concise and accessible introduction to a science subject (Geology in this case) I have ever had the pleasure to read.The authors actually make events of the last 4600 million years (!) jump off the page as if they were part of a live action series!

It is rare to find a book which transcends its specific topic as this one does.Even my nine-year old was fascinated by the vivid descriptions of the forming of the major features of the North American landscape, the formation and break-up of Rodinia, Pangea, etc., and the many, many layers of history present (and not present!) in the fantastic artwork the Colo. River has carved for all to experience first hand.

I have not "road-tested" this book for its specific hiking information.However, I can certainly certainly recommend the book based on its geological and earth history content alone. ... Read more

Product Description
Hiking the Southwest's Geology: Four Corners Region takes curious hikers on a journey through time that explores the Colorado Plateau-an immense land of canyons, mesas, and isolated mountain ranges in the American Southwest.

Divided into representative geologic provinces/areas, Hopkins specifies distinct geologic or scenic features and provides information about what makes each province unique. He describes each hike from the perspective of the geologic evolution of the landscape while exploring basic geologic concepts and providing a framework for understanding the major forces that have shaped the land. Hopkins' stunning color photography brings the Four Corners Region to life in dazzling detail. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Perfect
For anyone who loves hiking in the southwest, this book is perfect for explaining the geology of the sights you're seeing. It's also a wonderful guide to geologically focused hikes; ie, hikes that aren't necessarily found in "Best 100 Hikes in ----."

whets the appetite for more....
I had recently visited the Four Corners area with some friends. Since I had not been able to research much before we arrived, we just made the Durango area our main focus for this trip. The Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad was a terrific outing, the first thing we did! The scenery was stunning!The rest of the time we just traveled around the Pagosa Springs/Durango area but found some really cool stuff in which to participate. On my last day there, we actually went to the Four Corners Monument - be sure to take some $$$ with you as no one tells you that the Navajo Indians are there selling their wares - some really beautiful stuff and actually quite reasonably priced. After I got home, I ordered this book because I plan to return to the area and do some hiking next time. The scenery in the book is absolutely breathtaking and gives specifics about various trails and the difficulty of those trails. It will be a good guide during my return visits, first of which I believe will be to Bryce Canyon.Definitely worth having this book to plan a trip to Four Corners!

A Passion For Red Rocks
I've traveled in the regions covered by HIKING THE SOUTHWEST'S GEOLOGY: FOUR CORNERS REGION all my life, but for years I was just a passenger on someone else's trip.Now I plot my own path through this magical region, but not without help, of course.The picture of Paria Canyon on the cover of this book first snagged my attention, but it was the author's knowledge of and passion for geology that got me to buy it and refer to it, again and again, as I plan trips in Utah, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico.

This book is well-stocked with color photos, maps, diagrams, and explanations of the geology you will see when you visit each area.It's organized by region, so it's proven very helpful to me as I plot our course on the map.I'm a big fan of the ROADSIDE GEOLOGY series, but this book also tells you how to get to varous hikes in the area and what you can expect on the trail.It includes cautions about safety and permits.It's a Geology/Hiking nerd's dream.

No guide can tell you everything worth seeing in a region as packed full of geological goodies as the Southwest, but this one does an admirable job of picking the highlights.It would take a lifetime of exploration to see everything -- thanks to this book, I have a guide that helps me chose a starting point.When it wears out, I won't hesitate to buy another copy, and another, and another . . . ... Read more

Product Description
Replaces Compton's Manual of Field Geology (1962). A guide to advances in the increasingly broad and interpretive discipline of formation mapping theory. Thorough, yet compact enough for use in the field, it consists of brief descriptions of textures and structures useful in interpreting depositional environments, kinds of volcanic activity, and plutonic events and conditions. Included are procedures often reserved for the laboratory or office: staining rocks, correcting orientations of current indicators, constructing profile sections of folds, measuring strains, making photogeologic interpretations, and more. Covers pre-field considerations, methods of observation and measurement, recognition of key geologic features, and preparation of a report. Illustrated with composite drawings. Fourteen appendixes provide systemized data and procedures. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

you should probably have it
you should probably have this as a reference book since everyone else does, but some of the material is out dated and there are more current methods available, but you should still probably have it.

Geology in the Field
This book does an excellent job of describing and illustrating geologic field methods.I particularly liked the sections on Identifying Rocks in the Field, and Basic Prodedures at Outcrops, as I thought the book covered both without too much or too little detail.

Though about field geology, this is more of a book to remain at the field office and is not made for field durability.The appendices and key diagrams would make great laminated cards.

Perfect reference
What a help when out in the field, or in the lab!I review this before every outing.Has great experience with what you need in the field and what might/will go wrong.Excellent companion to your field notebook and map.Small enough to keep with you during field time.

Why didn't I buy it sooner?
This is a great field guide for new geologists. I just wish I had found it before field camp. It explains everything you need to know in the field clearly and is small enough to take on any day hike. It is rather spendy but totally worth it. I would recommend this book to any of my fellow students or co-workers.

No update of Compton's 'bible' in over 20 years shows the state of Field Geology
I think the true state of field geology is illustrated by the date of this pub and the lack of a much needed revision, the movement towards 'black box' geology in 30 years, an aging cohort of old-timer geologists who have not been able to pass the torch of field work on to a large number of younger generation geologists, in addition to the old timers' inability to keep up with recent technological advances in field methods and techniques (like the laptop!)
How is it that recent field HYDROGEOLOGY books are being published at a rapid pace for practitioners, but Compton's book is still being praised by these other Amazon reviewers as though god him/herself wrote the thing?Useful yes, but if this is the best we're going to get for years, students will need to supplement w/ online field geology developments. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Geology of National Parks
Perfect, great condition, just what I needed.Great seller, fast shipping.I would recommend to others.

Imperfect, but Useful.
I teach a college-level course in the Geology of National Parks and Monuments. Finding a textbook suitable for such a course has always been a problem, but I've used various editions of this book for at least a couple decades. It's a very poor choice for my needs, but I've never found anything more suitable. For example, my course is about Parks and Monuments, but this book only concerns parks. Another thing is that this book attempts to cover all national parks, but my course only concerns the National Parks of the western United States. In the sections about the parks I cover, this book attempts to cover almost everything, but I only look at selected subjects. Well, everything seems imperfect for my needs, but that's not the fault of the book.

If I get away from my specific needs, this book isn't bad at all. It outlines the geology of the parks as best as might be expected in the space available. I find it tough reading in that each park is covered by a different author or set of authors so the writing styles and geological styles and depth of coverage are glaringly different with the different parks. Well that's what compilation books are.

A beginning geology text is woven through the book and can be quite useful to the reader, if the reader is adept at using the index. For example, if a reader is interested in igneous rocks he/she can go into the index and can find numerous places throughout the book which discuss various aspects of this subject. It's imperfect, but someone can become reasonably conversant. Also, an index is provided if you tend to stumble over technical jargon.

I have very mixed feelings about this book. It's a very imperfect tome, yet it's really not a bad book at all. I could easily recommend it as a starting place for someone interested in the Geology of National Parks. Once started, an overwhelming amount of information is available in the literature and on the internet. It's worth a try, if you can get around the high cost of the book.

Gary Peterson

Geology of the National Parks
My 10 year old daughter loves the book.She wants to be a geologist with the National Park Service when she grows up.

geology of national parks text book, no highlights at all
the book came nice and clean, no creases and no highlights, very happy with my purchase

Excellent material.Well presented sans...............
This is an excellent textbook of geology and some history of our national parks.The text is organized by each park within geographic regions.This is great and helps one to read up on a specific park BEFORE visiting it so as to get the most out of the trip.

The layout, font size and pictures are great.The explanation of the geology behind the landscape is just beautiful and quite meaty.There is a CD that comes with the text and this is where I have a problem.The CD has great pictures of the parks but that is it.It would have been great if the CD came with some interactive stuff.

With the book size being formidible it would have been great to have a folded handout along with the CD so that one could actually use it on a field trip.

But all in all this is an excellent book and very useful to a non-geologist like myself.

I would have given it a 5-star except that there is no handy cutout that effectively summarizes the book for use in the field. ... Read more

Product Description

Junior, Senior, Graduate level text for Marine Geology, Marine Stratigraphy and Sedimentology or plate tectonics. Course found in both Geology and Oceanography departments. The first comprehensive and entirely new volume on marine geology since the emergence of the plate tectonic revolution in earth sciences and deep-sea drilling. Written by a foremost authority in the field.

... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Valuable reference
This graduate-level book is crammed with information about marine geology.Plenty of diagrams and charts assist in the visualization of sometimes difficult concepts.The book's only real flaws are that it is a bit out of date (15 years) and that the editing is a bit dense - every couple pages one runs across extremely abstruse phrasing or grammatical errors.The information itself, however, is indispensable.There aren't any real alternatives to this book if you are studying geological oceanography or are merely interested in post-introductory texts on the subject.

Un comentario desde Mexico.
A very good title for introducing in the marine field. There is no necesary a deep knowledge of the sedimentary processes, only the fundamental concepts. Also this book is good for tectonics and physicalgeology. Can remember many concepts and can learn many more. I think thisbook is the excellent complement in the sedimentology courses. Irecommended it for non-graduated students.If you want to known all themarine geology camp and what this camp can offers you...this book is allwhat you need.

Un muy buen libro para conocer el campo de la geologiamarina. No se necesita un conocimiento profundo de la sedimentologia, sololos conceptos basicos. Este libro tambien es muy bueno en tectonica ygeologia fisica, permite recordar muchos conceptos y aprender muchos mas.Es un complemento excelente para los cursos de sedimentologia. Es de losmejores textos a nivel licenciatura. ... Read more

Product Description
Derived from the content of the respected McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, Sixth Edition, each title provides thousands of definitions of words and phrases encountered in a specific discipline. All include:

* Pronunciation guide for every term
* Acronyms, cross-references, and abbreviations
* Appendices with conversion tables; listings of scientific, technical, and mathematical notation; tables of relevant data; and more
* A convenient, quick-find format (20031001) ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Not in Kindle Dictionary Format
This dictionary is not in the Kindle Dictionary Format.Looking up words is, therefore, relatively slow and tedious and it can not be your default Kindle dictionary.

good basic reference
Good dictionary but more specific definitions. For an earth scientist in the making, I would recommend the Oxford Dictionary of Earth Sciences.

Dictionary of Geology & Mineralogy
The is a must for anyone reading geological work. Rarely are words not to be found and in those instances the words have provincial usage. Despite plain English being a powerful means of expression geologists have developed an incredible lexicon of words some of which are unnecessary. Like lawyers and molecular biologists, this is a mechanism for one-upsmanship. Really out of place.

As an informed and enthusiastic student of geology and mineralogy, I find the book an essential crutch.

A Necessary Book
Excellent book, good definitions, but wish it also included pronunciation guide for each word. ... Read more

Product Description
How were the Appalachian Mountains formed? Are the barrier islands moving? Where is there gold in the Carolinas? Find answers to these questions and many more in this reader-friendly guide to the geology of North Carolina and South Carolina. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

nice book
I haven't been any of the places yet but I like it so far, lots of parks for hiking while I can enjoy the rocks :D

Magnificent Work
This is a magnificent book.I had given up hope finding a good reference work for North Carolina geology and then stumbled upon this book.I highly recommend it for its general discussion of Carolina geological history and its guided tours of specific locations.I'm baffled by the other low review it received.

Geology of the Carolinas
Very technical.I wanted a book to help me do a little rock hounding, but this is a more technical geology book.Not what I was looking for. ... Read more

Product Description
A comprehensive introduction that focuses on all of the major scientific processes of physical geology. Researched and written by two eminent geologists, the third edition includes new overarching themes of environmental issues and human interaction with the earth and its resources. Each chapter begins with an essay on this subject. Each part ends with a guest essay on the good stewardship of the Earth—how we can take care of our planet. The art program has been revised with 40ew art throughout to reflect current research. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

review of geology book
Book was marked in 'Good' condition. It was very highlighted, and I was pretty disappointed when I first received it. Nonetheless, I have gotten used to the marks and don't really mind them anymore.

good book, bad support
Great book . Unfortunately, the CD rom is for windows 2000, and not upgradable to XP , let alone 7. Wiley seems to have little interest in helping. A little support would be appreciated.

Very Good, if Pricy, Textbook
This book is one of the standard university texts in physical geology, along with Understanding Earth by Frank Press et al. The book is well written and very well illustrated. The discription ofplate tectonics and it's integration throughout the book is very well done. Like most such texts, it has the disadvantage of being written by lifelong academics with little or no contact with the extraxtive industries. Their treatment of energy extraction is superficial at best. One of the most important developments in geology over the past 30 years, that of sequence stratigraphy, does not even get a mention, perhaps because it came out of the oil exploration industry. (Understanding Earth does devote a paragraph or two to sequence stratigraphy.)

I confess that I did not buy a copy from Amazon. I picked mine up at a Border's Bookstore in London. The only difference in my copy and one bought in the US is a large graphic on the cover saying "Restricted: not for sale in North America". Why the restriction? Like many university textbooks, this one can be bought in overseas at a fraction of the US price. My undiscounted Border's London price was $59.19, a little more than half the US price. Quite remarkable, considering the current weakness of the US dollar to the UK pound.

a very dynamic earth
Skinner, Porter and Park give you a richly illustrated introduction to geology. The text spans the breadth of modern geology, and shows an exciting and changing planet. There are numerous photos of examples of terrain, often accompanied by schematics to aid understanding. The latest techniques practised in geology are explained. Especially noteworthy is the extensive use of GPS. This has greatly aided recording the location of interesting geological samples.

Earthquakes are also well covered, and will probably be of interest to many readers, especially if you are in California. The history of the Richter and Mercalli scales is gone into. Unfortunately, predicting quakes is still very uncertain!

The discussion on earthquakes is also used as a good example of plate tectonics, where the latter is probably the central idea of geology.

An Excellent Physical Geology Textbook & Reference Source
This book is for all persons, students and others, who wish to learn geology with over 500 easy-to-read pages. The Earth is a giant machine, a machine that never stops. How the Earth-machine works is the story told in this book, and it is a fascinating story. The science that studies the Earth is geology, and those involved in the study are geologists. Physical processes are shaping the Earth now and have been shaping the Earth over the past 4.5 billion years. ... Read more

Product Description
The science of geology is going through a remarkable period of expansion and advancement. The New Penguin Dictionary of Geology contains over 7,500 fully updated definitions, making it the most extensive dictionary of the earth sciences ever produced. It includes a full bibliography of up-to-date works covering all areas of geology. Authoritative and accessible, this new edition will prove invaluable to researcher, student and amateur geologist. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

A convoluted dictionary that needs pictures
A good dictionary doesn't use the term being defined in the definition. This is not a good dictionary.Geology is a visual science. To be a good field reference, pictures would be so very helpful, but there are none. Instead, stratification will be defined as "having strata." This may be a decent memory jogger for someone with a degree in geology, but for the amateur rock-hound, it's a waste of money.

Dictionary of Geology
It is the most helpful book I've ever had for this subject- very clear, and concise but highly informative.

My Observations
If you are a first time user, remember before you push and add button, [THINK] about who you are actually buying from.If it`a Amazon and you make a mistake or change your mind they will let you delete the order automatically.If your order is from another company then you`ll have to write an e-mail to that company to cancel or change your decision. However, Amazon gives you all the info to do this, so don`t get upset like I did. They`ll take care of you!

An excellent all round glossary of geological terms.
This new edition seems to be both a step forwards and a step backwards, at the same time.The list of terms that are explained is exhaustive.In that sense it is an improvement on the earlier edition.Many geographicterms that are relevant to geology have been included for the first time.However, all the diagrams have been omitted (due to space / priceconstraints?), and if a picture can paint a thousand words...... Overallthough an essential text for any student of geology worth their (rock)salt!! ... Read more

Product Description
Having originally defined the Environmental Geology course, this is considered the most comprehensive yet readable book for your course level. Keller continues to offer the most detailed, current research available. He covers a wide range of topics, discussing everything from fundamental geologic principles to the specifics of environmental law and geologic hazards, from a truly environmental perspective. The Ninth Edition emphasizes the engineering geology approach, especially in the discussion of soil and rock mechanics and landslides. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Super buy
I was shocked to be able to get this text book for such a great price.

Great Price and Fast Shipping!!
I purchased the book at a great price and it arrived within a few days!

Disappointed
The book arrived torn from the binding. The cover is dirty and ripped at the edges. There is too much highlighting on the text. When I try to read the book pages fall out.

College Text
This was the required text for my environmental geology class at university.I found the book to be okay.A good presentation of the various geological changes/hazards in our environment, but it does not provide indepth detail.I feel it would be better applied in a high school level course.

Remember, it is a text book.
I bought this book for an environmental geology course at Idaho State University as part of my interdisciplinary studies in the environment. Keller's book is informative and comprehensive providing both wide coverage and indepth calculations and examples of how to measure environmental events quantitatively. The professor of the course used the book's material in class; however, he was often critical of the simplicity of the illustrations and graphs. I will keep the book as a reference for environmental processes and human impact on the environment. I will not read the book for pleasure, though. It is a text book and can put a reader to sleep quickly. ... Read more

Product Description
The experience of seeing the Grand Canyon is difficult to describe but impossible to forget. Some people are content to see the massive chasm from a viewpoint along the rim; others want to see it from end to end and understand the natural processes that shaped this one-of-a-kind spectacle. It is for the latter that this book has been prepared. Anatomy of the Grand Canyon is not a geology textbook encumbered with language unintelligible to the average reader. Rather, it is a visual tour from the canyon’s rims, the Colorado River, and the air; from the beginning of the Grand Canyon at Lees Ferry, to its conclusion 277 miles downstream at the Grand Wash Cliffs. Though the panoramic photographs are magnificent, their higher purpose is to show important geologic information. Supported by text, diagrams, and maps that are easy to understand, these photographs tell an amazing story. Author-photographer W. Kenneth Hamblin has packed a lifetime of geologic study into a volume that is at once inspiring and instructive, and has given the reader access to the Grand Canyon’s most intriguing secrets. For them, the thrill of discovery awaits. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Anatomy of the Grand Canyon
I have dory-boated the entire length of the Canyon.
Here is a "Must Book" to further appreciate the experience.

Best info on the Grand Canyon by a world expert
If you have any interest in the Grand Canyon, this is a must buy. Dr. Hamblin has spent a lifetime studying the GC (Grand Canyon). He uses special cameras with stabalizers & airplanes to get remarkable photos. More than spectacular photos, he gives meaningful information about the geological features. As I started to look thru the pages, I kept coming across photos that literally took my breath away. Dr. Hamblin is a world renowned geologist and GC expert, & a true artist as well. He takes many photos & then sorts thru them to get just the right color & lighting. Since many of these photos are taken from the air or on the river, it has many scenes that are not generally available to the average GC visitor. This is not just a lot of pretty pictures, this is a masters hand in explaining the beauty, granduer & excitment of one of the worlds wonders. If you have been to the GC, this is a must, to see what you probably missed. If you can go, or go again, this book will help you understand what you are looking at. I highly recommend this book, I'd give it more than 5 stars if I could. ... Read more

Product Description
More than 500 million years of geologic discord along the western margin of the North American tectonic plate has built the land that is British Columbia. Today, the turmoil continues as the Juan de Fuca tectonic plate inches beneath Vancouver Island, triggering earthquakes and generating the magma that feeds the volcanoes of the Cascades. Roadside Geology of Southern British Columbia explains the province s geologic history in simple terms, covering southern British Columbia from the northern tip of Vancouver Island to the Alberta border east of Golden. Introductory sections describe the geology of four regions Vancouver Island, the Coast, the Interior Plateaus, and the Columbia and Rocky Mountains. Thirty-one road guides, complete with maps, photographs, and diagrams, locate and interpret the rocks and landforms visible from the province s highways and ferry routes. Discover a lava flow that chilled beneath ice, learn how Ripple Rock claimed twenty-four large ships before engineers finally blew it up, and drive across a slow-moving earthflow that has played havoc with roads since the gold rush days. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Roadside geology of BC
A good review of the geology in BC.You should be a geologist or have a good knowlege of geology to understand it.

Highlight of 'Roadside Geology' Series
Roadside Geology of Southern British Columbia may be the most detailed and information-dense title in the Roadside Geology series.The two authors carefully describe the province's convoluted geology with clear explanations and engaging references to early settlement by Europeans.The reader learns how this magnificent landscape formed and a lot about geological processes in general.It's a great read, even for someone who never visits British Columbia. ... Read more