Geology professor Willsey aims to inspire more Idahoans and visitors to take an interest in one of the most compelling and fascinating regions of the earth. He aims to bridge the gap between geologists and the interested public by passing along a collection of fascinating stories told by southern Idaho's rocks and landscapes. Southern Idaho's geologic history spans about 2.5 billion years--more than half that of the Earth. Chapters represent a sampling of the unique geologic features that formed during this immense amount of time. Willsey selects accessible locations that are exceptional in terms of either location or geologic history. --Publisher.

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.

Standing before any of southern Utah's enigmatic landforms, it's clear, there's a story here. This reference explores the stories behind 33 sites, some world-famous, others off the beaten path. Includes 146 black-and-white photographs, 31 maps, 37 black-and-white figures, bibliography, glossary, and index.

In Geology Underfoot in Western Washington, the most recent addition to the Geology Underfoot series, author and geoscientist Dave Tucker narrates western Washington�s geologic tales, covering sites from it�s low-lying shorelines to its rugged mountaintops. The book�s 22 chapters, or vignettes, lead you to easily accessible stops along Washington�s highways�and some trails, too.

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.

Rocks, Minerals, and Geology of the Pacific Northwest highlights100 rocks, minerals, and fossil types found in Oregon and Washington. Each entry has color photography that shows a range of possibilities in appearance and a description of the defining physical properties and textures. Lists of minerals organized by other physical properties like habit, hardness, and cleavage are included. Rocks, Minerals, and Geology of the Pacific Northwest also includes 40 landscape features viewable along trails in Washington and Oregon that will empower hikers to make observations and interpretations about how these features came to be. The essential reference for rockhounds, hikers, climbers, and geology enthusiasts More than 400 photographs, illustrations, tables, and maps showcase and explain everything from minuscule crystals to planetary tectonics Interprets the histories of dominant landscape features along regional hiking trails Profiles more than 100 minerals and rocks in detailed entries with photos, descriptions, identification graphics, and mini indexes Covers the geologic composition and 13 physiographic regions of Washington and Oregon

Since Mountain Press started the Roadside Geology series forty years ago, southern Californians have been waiting for an RG of their own. During those four decades�which were punctuated by jarring earthquakes and landslides�geologists continued to unravel the complexity of the Golden State, where some of the most dramatic and diverse geology in the world erupts, crashes, and collides. With dazzling color maps, diagrams, and photographs, Roadside Geology of Southern California takes advantage of this newfound knowledge, combining the latest science with accessible stories about the rocks and landscapes visible from winding two-lane byways as well as from the region�s vast network of highways. Join Arthur Sylvester, an award-winning UC Santa Barbara geologist, and Elizabeth O�Black Gans, a geologist-illustrator, as they motor through mountains and deserts to explore the iconic features of the SoCal landscape, from boulder piles in Joshua Tree National Park and brilliant white dunes in the Channel Islands to tar seeps along the rugged coast and youthful cinder cones in the Mojave Desert. Whether you want to find precious gemstones, ponder the mysteries of the Salton Sea, or straddle the boundary between the North American and Pacific Plates, be sure to bring this book along as your tour guide.