Aerial Geology, by Mary Caperton Morton

Mary Caperton Morton, travel writer and geologist, shares her love affair with North American geology in Aerial Geology: A High-Altitude Tour of North America's Spectacular Volcanoes, Canyons, Glaciers, Lakes, Craters, and Peaks.  Starting with a basic introduction to geology and the forces that have shaped the North American continent, she points out that "geology is best understood from the air. . . . the higher you go, the more you see, and the more you see, the more you learn."  So Aerial Geology is filled with pictures of geological features taken from mountain tops, airplanes, and all the way up to space.

Her point is well taken.  I have hiked around and visited several of the locations she covers.  It's tough to beat the feet-on-the-ground experience, seeing a place with your own eyes.  But to get the full picture of geological forces and formations, the high-elevation perspective is indispensable.  Besides the elevation perspective, Morton also has a great perspective on geological time.  She writes that "all these [geological] processes are ongoing. . . . [G]eologic time includes now."  When she discussing the timing and time frames of events, it sounds as natural as "The Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776" or even "My niece was born on October 15th of last year."  Obviously the time frames of the formation of mountain ranges or tectonic shifts are much greater, but she has a way of making it all sound familiar.  This includes projecting toward the future: "Visitors [to Cape Cod] should enjoy this area while they can.  Geologists estimate that the peninsula will disappear altogether in a few thousand years. . . ."

While the photographs are great, sometimes downright stunning, this is more than just a coffee table book.  For each of the 100 geological formations she features, she provides a brief but insightful account of its history and significance.  On one level, she inspires me to pay a visit to some of these places.  (How have I never heard of the Uinta Mountains?  I want to go!).  But taken all together, Aerial Geology sheds a lot of light on the big picture of the geology on the continent I call home.  With its soaring mountains, expansive plains, canyons and rivers, this is a fascinating place, made even more fascinating by Morton's beautiful and informative book.


Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!