Historical Geology

Catalog description

Historical Geology is an introduction to the principles and interpretation of geologic history utilizing three main themes - deep time, plate tectonics, and evolution of life. It emphasizes the evolution of the earth's lithosphere (crust), atmosphere, and biosphere through geologic time. It includes consideration of the historical aspects of plate tectonics, the geologic development of the current continents configuration, and important events in biological evolution and the resulting assembly of fossils. It provides an appreciation for the vast extent of geologic time, the natural processes affecting change on the earth, and the identification of common fossil types.