Historical Atlas of the Earth: A Visual Exploration of the Earth's Physical Past (Henry Holt Reference Book) - Hardcover

Gould, Stephen Jay

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 080504552X ISBN 13: 9780805045529

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co., 1996

Synopsis

More than two hundred full-color, high-quality maps, diagrams, and reconstructions, along with an up-to-date text, trace the geology of the earth from the Big Bang to the evolution of humans. Natural Science Main.

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Reviews

Intended as an "inspiring introduction" to geology--ideally for some future earth-scientist--this slim volume more than meets its goal. Organized around the sturdy divisions of geologic time, it tracks continental drift as inferred from fossils, paleomagnetism, radioactive dating, or glaciation. The editors portray the evidence in two-page color spreads devoted to a specific topic, for instance, rocks such as coal or limestone that characterize ancient epochs. Their visual highlights are global maps, accompanied by drawings of life-forms contemporary with the era under consideration. Of course, mass extinctions mark the major geologic divisions, such as the Paleozoic/Mesozoic boundary, which coincides with the assembly of the supercontinent Pangea 270 million years ago. That by itself, as plausibly as a cosmic impact, could have globally changed the climate, a point the editors make to impress upon the young rock-jock-to-be that the earth's history supports rival interpretations of events. The tyros who will work on furthering earth science may fondly remember devouring this excellent info-jammed atlas. Gilbert Taylor

Edition details

• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
• Publication date: 1996
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 080504552X
• ISBN 13: 9780805045529
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 192
• Editor: Osborne Robert, Tarling D. H.