ABSTRACT

Written by a career geologist with decades of experience in the field, North America’s Natural Wonders guides readers through the most iconic, geologically significant scenery in North America, points out features of interest, explains what they are seeing, and describes how these features came to be.

Presented as classic excursions to some of the best-known natural wonders on the continent, Volume II 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. It also features discussions of lesser-known but equally interesting geologic formations and important information on accessing these sites.

Features

  • Clearly explains the geology of these regions with an emphasis on landscape formation
  • Addresses issues of interest, such as fossils, earthquakes, mineral sites, mining, and oil fields
  • Lavishly illustrated with numerous colorful maps and breathtaking geological landscapes and their various features

These six self-guided tours explain to the curious layman, student, and geologist what they are seeing when they look at a roadcut or a quarry and enhances the experience far beyond simple sightseeing.

chapter 1|32 pages

Central Appalachians

Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, to Terra Alta, West Virginia

chapter 2|42 pages

Central Appalachians

Blackwater Falls, West Virginia, to Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

chapter 3|61 pages

Colorado Rocky Mountain High

Denver, Colorado, to Grand Junction, Colorado

chapter 4|33 pages

Colorado Rocky Mountains

Colorado Springs, Colorado, to Aspen, Colorado

chapter 5|116 pages

Gulf Coast to Rio Grande Rift

Austin, Texas, to Las Cruces, New Mexico

chapter 6|74 pages

La Popa Basin and Sierra Madre Oriental

Monterrey-Saltillo-Linares Loop, Nuevo León and Coahuila, Mexico