Roadside Geology of Arizona (Paperback)

by Halka Chronic (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"There is no question that Roadside Geology of Hawai'i is the best general geologic roadguide available in printed form and is a real bargain at $20." --Environmental & Engineering Geoscience

Product Description
Roadside Geology of Hawai`i details the evolution of this volcanic island chain, from the origin of a hot spot and the tumultuous creation of each island to ongoing eruptions and the gradual death and erosion of old volcanoes. Residents and tourists alike will soon become experts on lava tubes and lava flows, ancient beaches and coral reefs, ephemeral black sand beaches and the occasional tsunami. Includes a chapter each on six easily accessible and populated islands: Hawai`i , Maui, Lana`i, Moloka`i, O`ahu, and Kaua`i. Each chapter begins with a general discussion of the rocks of that island, then proceeds with a seres of road guides that provide the local details.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 322 pages
• Publisher: Mountain Press Publishing Company; 1st edition (April 1, 1983)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0878421475
• ISBN-13: 978-0878421473
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #258,550 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #25 in	Books > Science > Earth Sciences > Geology > Specific Locations
  #61 in	Books > Travel > United States > States > Arizona

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Halka Chronic's "Arizona", February 22, 2000

By	Duncan Kunz (Mesa Arizona) - See all my reviews

Yesterday I threw my "Roadside Geology of Arizona" away -- for the third time. Like the two copies before them, my latest had lasted about five years in my truck's door pocket, and it had gotten to the point that there was simply more duct tape holding the book together than there was paper, and at least four pages had disappeared.

That's the way it is with any book by Halka Chronic. The folks who buy them, use them -- and usually use them up. I have had three "Arizona", two each "Colorado" and "New Mexico" and am on my third "Utah" Roadside series. I would no more drive somewhere without these books than I would without five gallons of water in the Southwest desert summers.

The first chapter or two of all these books is a Geology 101 of the State -- including terms, an historical timeline, and discussion of the latest geological theories that have any bearing at all on the landforms you will see from your car or truck as you drive across the state.

Then coomes the good part -- a series of chapters with exciting names like "Route 60; Globe to Mesa". As you drive, your companion reads the book, keyed to mile-markers, freeway exit ramps, small towns, etc. Every rill, dike, escarpment -- even the various colored rocks you see as you ride through the roadcuts on the freeway -- are explained. Follow the highways in the book, and you're and expert on Arizona geology.

But it's never that simple, of course. Soon you're taking your friends and relatives from out of town through those same trips, showing them the beauties of your state that Halka Chronic helps make come alive. Out comes the book again and again, and finally it begins to fall apart from sheer, joyous use.

That's why I threw away my third "Roadside Geology of Arizona" yesterday. But don't worry, I already bought my fourth copy -- and I'm sure I'll buy my fifth in another five years or so.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great traveling adventure book, January 22, 2002

By A Customer

I went on a trip out West and found this book very useful. The organization of the material is outstanding, so that it's perfect for people who know a little or a lot about geology. The first section of the book covered basic introductory geology information. The book then covered the three provinces that make up Arizona. Each section covered the geology to be seen on specific highways, such as Interstate 40 as it goes from Flagstaff to Winslow in the Colorado Plateau Province. There are also geological bedrock maps included with the aforementioned highway section. Geological descriptions of the national parks in this state provided a better understanding of what the traveller is observing.

I am also the proud owner of the Roadside Geology books for Hawaii, Maine, New Mexico, and Utah. Non of these have let me down, and as my collection grows so will the number of stars for outstanding ratings. A big thanks goes out to the authors of these fabulous books! Your dedicated work is much appreciated!

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book if you travel around the state, September 18, 2000

By	John "John" (PHOENIX, AZ USA) - See all my reviews

I have to admit that I am not normally interested in geology. But as I've traveled around the state by car or bike the uniqueness of Arizona's geology has always fascinated me. I purchased this book on a whim and found it to be one of my favorite books. Now, whenever I'm going to be traveling in a new part of the state I read about the geology of the area that I'm traveling through. Because this is written in a "roadside" format, the book explains what you'll see as you drive (or bicycle) through the various regions in the state.