Articles Index

Gems and Minerals: Earth Treasures from the Royal Ontario Museum

Outstanding photos of a museum's prize minerals with ill-fitting scientific dressing.

Time Traveler, by Michael Novacek

An unforgettable look at the outer and inner life of a contented scientist, plus a cogent introduction to Earth science.

Plates vs. Plumes: A Geological Controversy

A masterful survey of reigning ideas in solid-Earth studies, their weaknesses, and their worthy alternatives.

Wildest Alaska: Journeys of Great Peril in Lituya Bay, by Philip Fradkin

An exploration of landscape and culture in America's most dangerous place.

In The Mountains of Saint Francis by Walter Alvarez

A warm and humane account of a geologist's life in Italy's Apennine range.

King of the 40th Parallel: Discovery in the American West by James Moore

An insider's look at a great geologist's exploration of the western territories and founding of the U.S. Geological Survey.

The Winemaker's Dance: Exploring Terroir in the Napa Valley

Two wine-loving geologists have opened a new line of inquiry into the heart of winegrowing, bringing new depth to terroir: the concept that connects a wine's character with the place giving rise to it.

Earth: An Intimate History

A 'geology for poets' book that delivers geology AND poetry, thanks to a paleontologist author who reaches deep into the science without leaving his heart and humanity behind.

Earth Colors, by Sarah Andrews

The ninth in the Em Hansen series of forensic geology thrillers has our heroine embroiled in a deadly drama centering on mineral pigments, beguiling gray-eyed strangers, stolen art and the need to resume her interrupted life.

Living with Earthquakes in California: A Survivor's Guide, by Robert Yeats

Gives California citizens all they need to take the fruits of seismic science into their personal lives, homes, neighborhoods and the public arena.

The Seven Hills of Rome, by Heiken, Funiciello and De Rita

A great world city is entwined with exceptional geology in this unique tour guide.

The Great Earthquake and Firestorms of 1906, by Philip Fradkin

A sweeping, definitive new look at the iconic American disaster.

A Crack in the Edge of the World, by Simon Winchester

Just the sort of thing for those who like this sort of thing.

Planet Earth, by Cesare Emiliani

The great scientist's last book, reviewed by himself.

Earthquakes in Human History, by Jelle de Boer and Donald Sanders

Not just calamities, great earthquakes have also been agents of regime change, sometimes in surprising ways.

Plates, Plumes, and Paradigms

A massive collection of papers that sets forth the next stage of plate tectonics.

Magnitude 8: Earthquakes and Life Along the San Andreas Fault by Philip Fradkin

Sets the standard for treatments of California's seismic side: the geology, geography, history and political significance of the state's earthquakes.

Geology of the San Francisco Bay Region by Doris Sloan

Superb handbook for learning to love the San Francisco Bay area's rocks and landscape.