The Story of the Earth in 25 Rocks: Tales of Important

The Story of the Earth in 25 Rocks: Tales of Important Geological Puzzles and the People Who Solved Them

Every rock is a tangible trace of the earthâ€™s past. The Story of the Earth in 25 Rocks tells the fascinating stories behind the discoveries that shook the foundations of geology. In twenty-five chaptersâ€•each about a particular rock, outcrop, or geologic phenomenonâ€•Donald R. Prothero recounts the scientific detective work that shaped our understanding of geology, from the unearthing of exemplary specimens to tectonic shifts in how we view the inner workings of our planet.

Prothero follows in the footsteps of the scientists who askedâ€•and answeredâ€•geologyâ€™s biggest questions: How do we know how old the earth is? What happened to the supercontinent Pangea? How did ocean rocks end up at the top of Mount Everest? What can we learn about our planet from meteorites and moon rocks? He answers these questions through expertly chosen case studies, such as Pliny the Youngerâ€™s firsthand account of the eruption of Vesuvius; the granite outcrops that led a Scottish scientist to theorize that the landscapes he witnessed were far older than Noahâ€™s Flood; the salt and gypsum deposits under the Mediterranean Sea that indicate that it was once a desert; and how trying to date the age of meteorites revealed the dangers of lead poisoning. Each of these breakthroughs filled in a piece of the greater puzzle that is the earth, with scientific discoveries dovetailing with each other to offer an increasingly coherent image of the geologic past. Summarizing a wealth of information in an entertaining, approachable style, The Story of the Earth in 25 Rocks is essential reading for the armchair geologist, the rock hound, and all who are curious about the earth beneath their feet.
Country USA
Brand Columbia University Press
Manufacturer Columbia University Press
Binding Hardcover
ItemPartNumber 48249465
UnitCount 1
Format Illustrated
EANs 9780231172134
ReleaseDate 2017-12-12

Country	USA
Brand	Columbia University Press
Manufacturer	Columbia University Press
Binding	Hardcover
ItemPartNumber	48249465
UnitCount	1
Format	Illustrated
EANs	9780231172134
ReleaseDate	2017-12-12

The Story of the Earth in 25 Rocks: Tales of Important Geological Puzzles and the People Who Solved Them

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