Geology and the National Parks and Monuments (First Edition)

Traverse North America's vibrant geologic past in 14 chapters that expose ancient rock formations, dynamic tectonic forces, and early Native American journeys. Rich images, maps, charts, and a geologic time scale illuminate the natural processes that sculpted iconic national parks and monuments.

Geology and the National Parks and Monuments guides students through an historic and geologic exploration of North America, identifying and surveying the regions and the terrains that form today's national parks and monuments. The book summarizes early habitation of national parks and monuments by Native Americans, following their journey across the Bering Strait land bridge 20,000 years ago, stopping in various geologic settings that are byproducts of unstoppable forces that continue to shape our world today. Each of the 14 chapters cover a specific geological area. Students read about Precambrian igneous and metamorphic rocks, the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Coastal Plain, the Rocky Mountains, the Columbia Plateaus and Snake River Plain, Alaska statehood and geology, Hawaii and American Samoa, and more. The book includes insightful sidebars, full-color images, maps, and charts, and suggestions for further reading to enrich the student learning experience. A geologic time scale at the back of the book provides readers with historical context for the material throughout. Featuring thoroughly class-tested content and years of research and collaboration, Geology and the National Parks and Monuments is an exemplary textbook for courses that explore the geology of North America and the formation of its national parks and monuments.