Windows into the Earth: The Geologic Story of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks

by Robert Baer Smith, Lee J. Siegel

Millions of years ago, the North American continent was dragged over the world's largest continental hotspot, a huge column of hot and molten rock rising from the Earth's interior that traced a 50-mile wide, 500-mile-long path northeastward across Idaho. Generating cataclysmic volcanic eruptions and large earthquakes, the hotspot helped lift the Yellowstone Plateau to more than 7,000 feet and pushed the northern Rockies to new heights, forming unusually large glaciers to carve the landscape. It also created the jewel of the U.S. national park Yellowstone. Meanwhile, forces stretching apart the western U.S. created the mountainous glory of Grand Teton National Park. These two parks, with their majestic mountains, dazzling geysers, and picturesque hot springs, are windows into the Earth's interior, revealing the violent power of the dynamic processes within. Smith and Siegel offer expert guidance through this awe-inspiring terrain, bringing to life the grandeur of these
geologic phenomena as they reveal the forces that have shaped--and continue to shape--the greater Yellowstone-Teton region. Over seventy illustrations--including fifty-two in full color--illuminate the breathtaking beauty of the landscape, while two final chapters provide driving tours of the parks to help visitors enjoy and understand the regions wonders. Fascinating and informative, this book affords us a striking new perspective on Earth's creative forces.

Genres: Geology, Science, Nonfiction, Travel, Geography, Nature, Outdoors

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 28, 2000

Reviews

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book's greatest strength is its numerous, lavish, National Geographic-style illustrations that clearly explicate the geologic history and underground workings of the Yellowstone region. When I first bought the book as a teenager, I didn't appreciate the imagery as much as I should have.

The text is also full of fascinating information, properly qualified where professional geologists are still unsure; however, read in one sitting the book can begin to feel repetitive. At times, I got the impression that the chapters were designed to be read independently.

If you buy this book, get it prior to or early during a Yellowstone visit, as it will help you appreciate the park all the more. Also take note of the Grand Teton and Yellowstone tours that end the book: they'll point you to places in the parks where you can witness firsthand the remnants of the geological movements described in the book!

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solid scientific information on both Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks presented in easy to understand and highly engaging prose. I read this before a recent trip to Yellowstone and especially enjoyed the list of recommended sites to visit.

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first geology book that I was able to read without falling asleep within five minutes of opening. It's quite the accomplishment. Congratulations Robert Smith.

[Jami Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having taken a whirlwind trip through Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks last year, this was a neat look into the geological processes that create the landscape. Even for being 20+ years old, the information is still largely relevant. I read this at the same time as the historic flooding was taking place which made it even more interesting, reading about the forces that cut the landscape that was being splashed all over the news and internet. The "guided tour" section at the end will hopefully still be relevant and useful as Yellowstone rebuilds the northern sections, as I would love to go back and follow the suggested itinerary.

[Keith W · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent guide to the geology of the Yellowstone and Grand Teton area. As other reviewers have said, there is an unusual amount of repetition in the text but, having been forewarned about that, it did not let it bother me. I especially enjoyed the incredible photographs throughout the book, which are well described in the text. Anyone planning a vacation to this fabulous area should read this book before going.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I wonder what the past 25 years of research has revealed.
Well illustrated and at just the right level of scientific information. Enough repetition that I can actually remember a lot of it!

[Victoria Shipley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intense and interesting!

Involved geology, great photos make for good explanation of why Yellowstone looks and acts as it does. Bit repetitive in places.

[Alex Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Provides excellent context to the incredible geology of the region.

[Reid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though geology's far from being my favorite natural science, the local geology of Northwest Wyoming is redeemed mostly by all of the catastrophic scenarios that Smith outlines here. Past and potential future devastating earthquakes and violent volcanic eruptions are profiled using the kinds of spatial analogies usually reserved for astronomy: "The total volume of ash and other debris that erupted from Mount St. Helens was almost one-quarter of a cubic mile--equal to a giant cube of rock six-tenths of a mile on each side. The Yellowstone caldera explosion 2 million years ago ejected an estimated 600 cubic miles of lava and ash--enough to fil a cube measuring 8.4 miles on each side. So the eruption was 2,500 times larger than the Mount St. Helens disaster. That is a minimum."

If you're planning a visit to the region, the driving tours in the back of the book are must-dos. It's much more useful to actually be looking at Mt. Moran when you're reading about diabase dikes than just scanning photos.

[Laura (Kyahgirl) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, after finishing this book I have to say I'm really glad I bought it while in Montana this summer. I probably never would have thought to look this kinds of information up at any other time but I found myself really fascinated by the geology of the area.

The book starts out with a play by play of the night that there was a huge earthquake in the area in 1959. The human interest aspect brings home the reality of these plates shifting around and the impact of 'a thin crust'.

The book goes on to give a very readable and interesting lesson on geology in general and a very specific and detailed lesson on the region in question.

Having grown up and lived in that quadrant of North America for my whole life I found it particularly interesting.

[Marjorie Elwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a really interesting look at the geology of this region. I kept coming across facts that had me exclaiming out loud, such as: the hotspot under Yellowstone is likely the result of radioactive activity around 125 miles under the surface of the Earth, or: the fault under Salt Lake City is overdue for a major earthquake.... A little repetitive, but that was probably needed, for my layperson's understanding.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very readable geology book. It appeared to have been written as a series of articles, as each chapter repeated some basic info. The last chapters were a suggested tour of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. I wish I had read this book a few years ago as I would have understood a lot more when we visited the area.

[Shyam Parekh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicely simplified (readable) approach to the science and geology of the Yellowstone caldera. The second half of the book is more useful as a guide, but the first half alone makes the book worthwhile.

[Nicci · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are interested in geology of this area, but don't have any background in geology, this is a fascinating, simple, easy to understand look at the the history and make up (and risks!) of Yellowstone/Tetons.

[Ryan Bowlby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book on Yellowstone geography for the lay person. I do disagree with some of his explanations on the dynamics of specific plate tectonic activities and their influence on the basin and range rifting. It was well written, albeit somewhat repetitive.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read while visiting Yellowstone. It is fun to calculate how much longer you have to live before it explodes, while you are there. :)

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This a is very scientific explanation of Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. The author from the the University of Utah has studied Yellowstone for years.

[Beca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Windows into the Earth was purely fascinating and majorly insightful. I found a lot of useful information I could actually use :) Reading this one left me pleased.

[Paul Hoffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A geology I am intimately familiar with, but never can learn enough about it to satisfy my curiousity.

[Ralph · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best view of the geology of Yellowstone and Grand Teton areas. Mind blowing to realize the geologic forces at work there today. My second reading.