The Finger Lakes Region: Its Origin and Nature

by O.D. Von Engeln

The extraordinary beauty of the Finger Lakes region is well known to its residents and to the many tourists who explore it each year. What is not so well known is the region's unique geology. Its distinctive features are the results of a singular combination of structural units and forces that operated thousands of years ago, when successive advances of the Ice Age continental glaciers thrust their fronts against escarpments extending across their path and into pre-glacial valleys. How these escarpments affected the flow of ice and how the glacial invasions remodeled the entire region is the subject of O. D. von Engeln's classic study.Following a brief prologue on the region's pre-glacial history, the author discusses each of the region's characteristic what caused it, its nature, its relation to other phenomena of the region and, often, to other distinctive topographic phenomena throughout the world. His book is a valuable and accessible introduction to the region's geologic history and provides insights into geologic methodology―how a region gives evidence of its history, what possible explanations for a phenomenon exist for geologists, and how they choose among them.Natives of the Finger Lakes, newcomers, and tourists alike will finish this book with a greater appreciation of this geologically fascinating area and with renewed curiosity about the formative years of our planet.

208 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1988

Reviews

[Mike Parkes · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the relatively homogenous topography of the Eastern United States, New York’s Finger Lakes really stands out. What accounts for those long deep lakes, and the marvelous gorges and waterfalls that flow into them? The short answer is “glaciers”. For the long answer, you will need to read this book. It is heavy going for the non-specialist, and I believe that some of the nuances in the theories presented here have been modified, based on more recent scientific findings. Still, if you persist with this one, you will come away with a much better understanding and appreciation of the geologic history and landscape of the Finger Lakes region.

[Judy Dobles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great information on the geology of the Finger Lakes Region. A bit dry at times.