Idaho has outstanding examples of almost every type of landform, geologic feature, rock type and mineral deposit. It is a veritable outdoor geologic museum because of its diverse geologic environments and scientifically significant geologic attractions. During the last 20,000 years, Idaho has experienced major earthquakes, two of the largest catastrophic floods in the global geologic record, stunning alpine glaciation and volcanic eruptions. There are few places on Earth that rival Idaho's remarkable geology.

The introductory section of the book has an overview of the geology of the Pacific Northwest to give the necessary background and context for understanding the origin and evolution of large-scale landscapes. The Theory of Plate Tectonics revolutionized every aspect of earth science when it was formulated in the 1960s. This great unifying theory gave us a conceptual understanding of the origin and evolution of the major features of the continents and ocean basins. Throughout most of geological time archipelagos and microcontinents (the building blocks) have accreted to continents and continents have broken apart by rifting. Few continental margins of the Earth have been as affected by these processes as the American West. The Introduction also includes a timeline for the important events through geologic time and an overview of the common rocks and minerals of Idaho. Part two features geologic provinces and major rock types occurring in Idaho, and in many cases, extending over other States in the American West. Geologically significant landforms and features are scattered throughout Idaho and adjacent states. Many of these features are scientifically significant because they are among the best examples of their kind regionally, nationally, and in a few cases, globally. Part three describes water resources and features formed by water. Part four covers lode, placer, and gemstone deposits, using many Idaho examples.Idaho has outstanding examples of almost every type of landform, scientifically significant feature, rock type and mineral deposit. The oldest rocks are more than 2500 million years old and contain a record of many the events that transpired during that vast span of geologic time, including accretion of a significant portion of the Pacific Northwest terranes. During the last 20,000 years, Idaho has experienced major earthquakes, catastrophic floods, huge glacial ice sheets and volcanic eruptions. By visiting these diverse geologic environments, it is possible to develop a broad background in field geology applicable to understanding geology almost anyplace on earth.

"This volume is composed of guides to the lavas of the Columbia River basalts, megaflood landscapes of the Channeled Scablands, Mesozoic accreted terranes, metamorphic Precambrian Belt and pre-Belt rocks, and other features of this tectonically active region"--

Learn about the remarkable geologic diversity of the Gem State with the completely revised, full-color edition of Roadside Geology of Idaho. Excellent graphics, spectacular photographs, and straightforward writing describe and interpret the rocks and landscapes visible outside your car window, whether you're speeding across the Snake River Plain or following a narrow canyon enroute to a weekend getaway. The authors, a trio of experienced field geologists, guide you to outcrops and roadcuts where you can stretch your legs and expand your minds. The rocks of Idaho span a vast chunk of Earth's long-lived history and tell stories with many plot twists. Time and time again, geologic processes transformed the landscape-- mountains grew to towering heights only to be leveled by erosion, vast lakes drained in massive floods when ice and sediment dams failed, and lava poured into river valleys, creating new dams. With this book as their travel companion, residents and visitors alike are sure to understand and appreciate Idaho's sprawling plains, forested hills, and deep canyons in a completely new way.

Guidebook to the Geology of Northern & Western Idaho & Surrounding Area. (Illus.). 156p. 1989. pap. 24.00 (ISBN 1-55765-027-6). Idaho Geol. Survey Pr. With this book those with a smattering of geology enjoy at their leisure, in easy-to-follow road logs, self-directed educational tours from the comfort of their cars. The book consists of nine field trips in Idaho & adjoining parts of Oregon & Washington. Articles cover late Cenozoic lake environments, the Idaho batholith & accreted terranes, tectonic & sedimentary sequences, & the Coeur d'Alene mining district. For those interested in other parts of Idaho, a companion volume includes broad areas of the rest of the state. Guidebook to the Geology of Central & Southern Idaho (Illus. 319p. 1988. pap. 35.00 ISBN 1-55765-026-8) contains 21 road logs describing the geology of central Idaho, the Snake River Plain, & southwest Montana in addition to the Paleozoic stratigraphy, economic geology, & Quaternary geology on this extensive region. Both guidebooks provide long-awaited summaries of the current geologic knowledge of the state. Another book of interest to serious students of geology is the Cenozoic Geology of Idaho (Illus. 725p. 1982. pap. 39.00 ISBN 1-55765-025-X).

This book offers a detailed exploration of the geology of southwestern Idaho and southeastern Oregon, including information on rock formations, fossils, and other key features. Includes detailed illustrations and diagrams. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.