North America's Natural Wonders (2-Volume Set)

About this book

Millions of Americans and international travelers go on road trips through the United States every year. Although many travel through these areas, most have little to no understanding of the geology or how the landscape came to be. Written by a career geologist with decades of experience in the field, North America's Natural Wonders provides everything the reader needs to understand the landscape. This detailed and extensive guide will explain to the curious layman, the interested general public, the rock hound, the student, and the geologist what they are seeing when they look at a roadcut, quarry, or interesting scenery. A full understanding of the genesis and history of the natural formations the reader might encounter will inspire travelers and enhance the experience far beyond simple sightseeing.

- Clearly explains the geology of regions with emphasis on landscape formation.
- Addresses issues of public interest such as earthquakes, mining, and climate change.
- Lavishly illustrated with numerous colorful maps and breathtaking geological landscapes and their various features.
- Describes the major geologic features of North America through the device of a geologic tour for professionals as well as individuals without any geology training.
- Written in easy-to-understand language, the authors bring their own experience to the readers who want to explore and understand geologic sites first-hand.

Volume 1 focuses primarily on Western North America, including the Canadian Rockies, the Southwest, Great Basin, and Tetons-Yellowstone Country. The trips detailed in this volume include stops at quintessential features such as the glaciers and mountains of Banff National Park, the Grand Canyon, the numerous parks in Utah, and the geysers and hot springs of Yellowstone National Park, as well as many others.

Volume 2 focuses primarily on Central and Eastern North America, including the Appalachians, the Colorado Rockies, Austin-Big Bend Country, and the Sierra Madre. The trips detailed in this volume include stops at quintessential features such as the Shenandoah Valley, Carlsbad Caverns, Big Bend National Park, and La Popa Basin of Nuevo León and Coahuila, Mexico, as well as many others.

Contents

Volume 1
- Introduction
- Canadian Rockies
- Continental Margin, California
- Basin-and-Range to Yellowstone Hotspot
- Colorado Plateau and Colorado Rockies
- Central Appalachians
- Sierra Madre Oriental, Mexico
- Conclusion

Volume 2
- Introduction
- Harper's Ferry to Terra Alta
- Blackwater Falls to Shenandoah National Park
- Denver to Grand Junction
- Colorado Springs to Aspen
- Gulf Coast to Rio Grande Rift
- La Popa Basin and Sierra Madre Oriental
- Conclusions

Customer Reviews

Biography

Dr Gary Prost obtained a BSc in Geology from Northern Arizona University in 1973 and an MSc (1975) and PhD (1986) in Geology at Colorado School of Mines. Over the past 38 years Dr Prost has worked for Norandex (mineral exploration), Shell U.S.A. (petroleum exploration worldwide), the U.S. Geological Survey (geologic mapping, coal), The Superior Oil Company (mineral and oil exploration), Amoco Production Company (worldwide oil exploration), Gulf Canada (international new ventures) and ConocoPhillips Canada (Canadian Arctic exploration, field development, oil sands modelling and reservoir characterization). Dr Prost spent over 20 years working as an image analyst/photointerpreter in the search for oil and minerals in over 30 countries. During this time he applied remote sensing in exploration, mineral and oil development projects, and environmental monitoring. Dr Prost is the principle in Prost and Associates, consultants on geologic exploration and development projects and applies the most recent technologies to his work.