Geologic History of Middle California

California Natural History Guides #43

by Arthur David Howard

Only recently has the astonishing modern theory of moving crustal plates enabled us to understand fully how the picturesque landscape of the San Francisco Bay Region and its surrounding areas has come into existence. In this book Howard tells the dramatic story, illustrated by clear, graphic sequential the continual remaking of the earth’s surface on a time scale so immense human minds can scarcely grasp it.

113 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1979

Reviews

[John Roloff · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short, clear, concise read about the geologic history of central California. Illustrations of the evolution of the land and seascape are very helpful.

[Peter Tillman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This brief introduction to the geologic history of the Bay Area and beyond is impressive. The author is a distinguished geologist and geomorphologist, retired from Stanford. He writes in a clear, direct style, avoids professional jargon, and clearly knows the area in detail. One of the best features is a series of hand-drawn block diagrams illustrating the landscape of the study area as it changes over time. These are marvelously-detailed, old-fashioned maps, and their only flaw is being presented in a reduced format that's hard for these old eyes to read.

The guide, published in 1979, is out of print, but readily and inexpensively available. Fits comfortably in a jacket pocket or car door. My expertise in California geology is limited, but I don't think anything here will seriously mislead you, even 30+ years on. And there's nothing else available that covers this whole region.

Google Books has an extended preview:
http://books.google.com/books?id=WN_r...