California Geology [Hardcover]

Deborah R. Harden (Author), Harden (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0023500425 | ISBN-13: 978-0023500428 | Publication Date: October 31, 1997

For a one-semester introductory course in California Geology. No prerequisites required.With California plate tectonics as a central theme, this text is intended to acquaint non-geologists with California geology. Introduces basic principles in the beginning of the text and works toward a unifying picture of California geology.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

With California plate tectonics as a central theme, this text is intended to acquaint non-geologists with California geology. Organized to introduce basic principles in the beginning of the text and work toward a unifying picture of California geology.

From the Back Cover

Organized to introduce basic principles and work toward a unifying picture of California geology. With California plate tectonics as a central theme, this book is intended to acquaint non- geologists with California geology. Contains examples of catastrophic natural disasters, excerpts from California history, illustrations of mining methods, and discussions of the societal impacts of geologic processes. A book for practicing geologists in California or any region where fault lines are present and plate tectonics affect the immediate geography.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 479 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall (October 31, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0023500425
• ISBN-13: 978-0023500428
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #330,667 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #50 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Earth Sciences > Seismology

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

76 of 80 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The ONLY up-to-date textbook on California geology, May 1, 2000

By 

Douglas A. Greenberg (Berkeley, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: California Geology (Hardcover)

Deborah Hardin's textbook on California geology is superior to all previous texts inasmuch as she is the first to utilize the theory of plate tectonics to provide a unified framework for her overall exposition. Instead of being bombarded with an encyclopedic but chaotic assemblage of rock types and unconnected microprocesses, the reader is treated to a consistent and comprehensive picture of how California came to be that hangs together remarkably well.

Harden utilized the recent research of countless other geologists to put together this book, and her hard work has paid off. She includes several chapters that provide a conceptual overview of geologic principles, then goes on in successive sections to describe how various forces and processes related ultimately to plate tectonics have been responsible for the evolution of various distinctive landforms and geomorphic regions of California. She also includes a final chapter that is a stand-alone summary version of the "geological history of California." Throughout the book, she makes clear again and again how a clear understanding of the various ways that tectonic plates can interact is absolutely fundamental to understanding how California has come into existence over the past several hundred million years. It's a fascinating story, and Harden's text will help anyone willing to read carefully and study a bit to learn the basics of California geology.

As an added bonus, Harden has included several sections that are linked to present-day environmental hazards, most notably those related to the constant threat of earthquakes in the Golden State. Such information is, of course linked directly to the geology of the state that she has described and explained so well.

The illustrations and diagrams re not terribly elaborate, but they are helpful and reasonably plentiful. Also included are some small-sized versions of the standard California geology and fault maps.

The main drawback to this publication is its astronomical price. This is hardly Harden's fault, however, as high prices seem to be the unfortunate standard for college textbooks these days.

4.0 out of 5 stars Decent Book, January 16, 2012

By 

A. Hsiao (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: California Geology (2nd Edition) (Hardcover)

This textbook is one of the better geology books. It is hard to read the textbook but some information on it helps a lot. I suggest this book to those who like Geology and want to learn more about California. There are pictures in the book which are really helpful to those that learn through remembering pictures. I got this book because I needed it for my college Geology class, but all I can say is that it helped me

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Primer, April 11, 2009

By 

Mark Ian Kendrick (Chicago) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: California Geology (2nd Edition) (Hardcover)

As an amateur geologist, living part-time in CA, this book is an excellent primer that goes over the basics of that great state.