'TEXAS THROUGH TIME' - LONE STAR GEOLOGY FOR GENERAL AUDIENCES

The need for a one-volume treatment of Texas geology suitable for general audiences (geologist and non-geologist) is being met with the publication of "Texas Through Time" by the Texas Bureau of Economic Geology. This volume will be full-color, roughly 360 pages, with abundant maps and photos. The book begins with Texas landscapes, a natural entry point for anybody who has driven across the state. Two chapters cover some general principles of geology, the Earth's layering and tectonic cycles, and the position of Texas through the last 600 Ma. Four large chapters tell the geologic story of Texas through the Proterozoic, Paleozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic with 30 statewide paleogeographic maps. Eight time-stratigraphic charts make sense of the confusing array of formation names. A chapter on the last 20,000 years outlines the important climatic and shoreline changes, and brings man into the picture as a user of geologic resources. A large chapter on Texas' varied resources and a briefer one on geologic hazards complete the volume. The appendices include a glossary of unfamiliar words, a brief description of 73 Great Places to view Texas geology, and sources of more information (including references used in the writing). A companion website contains more statewide information and more detailed descriptions and photo collections of the Great Places.