Texas Through Time


Book Description




The Geology of Texas


Book Description

The Geology of Texas is written to accompany introductory courses including physical and historical geology, as well as physical geography, and was designed to compliment the topics of those courses for students in Texas and surrounding regions. The chapter follows the geologic history of Texas from the Precambrian to recent, with illustrations from virtually all parts of the state. Students will see how plate tectonics as well as surficial processes have created the Texas landscape, and how that geologic record influenced the settlement of Texas and the importance of geology to the inhabitants of the region today. A major theme of the chapter is economic geology, with attention to Texas' important energy resources, especially petroleum and coal, and also the vital groundwater sources that will become increasingly important to the regions' growing population. Environmental issues are also stressed, including the impacts of frequent hurricanes and large floods. The series can be bound into any Thomson Brooks/Cole text to create a more compelling regional edition highlighting relevant material.




The Geologic Story of Palo Duro Canyon


Book Description

In 'The Geologic Story of Palo Duro Canyon' by William Henry Matthews, readers are taken on a journey through the fascinating geological history of one of Texas' most iconic landmarks. Matthews dives deep into the formation of the canyon, exploring the various rock layers, fossils, and unique features that shape its landscape. With a meticulous attention to detail and a clear passion for the subject matter, Matthews presents this geological information in a captivating and accessible way, making it a must-read for both geology enthusiasts and general readers interested in natural history. The book is written in a descriptive and informative style, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of the geological processes that have shaped Palo Duro Canyon over millions of years. Matthews' expertise in geology shines through in his expert analysis and interpretation of the canyon's geologic features, making this book a valuable resource for anyone curious about the Earth's geological history. Readers will come away from this book with a newfound appreciation for the natural wonders of Palo Duro Canyon and a deeper understanding of the forces that have shaped our planet's landscapes.



















Texas Rocks and Minerals


Book Description

Earth's outer crust Geologists Time and rock units Geologic map What are rocks and minerals? Chemical elements Minerals Rocks Igneous rocks Extrusive or volcanic igneous rocks Intrusive igneous rocks Sedimentary rocks Soils Sedimentary rock materials in broken fragments Sedimentary rock materials in solution Cementing materials and chemical sediments Sedimentary rocks formed by plants and animals Metamorphic rocks Static metamorphism Contact metamorphism Dynamic metamorphism Occurrence and properties of minerals How minerals occur Crystalline minerals Crystals Imperfect crystals Amorphous minerals Some distinguishing properties of minerals Color Luster Transmission of light Hardness Streak or powder Cleavage Parting Fracture Specific gravity Effervescence in acid Some special occurrences of minerals Cave deposits Concretions Geodes Petrified wood Collecting rocks and minerals Rock and mineral identification charts How to use the mineral identification charts Key to mineral identification charts Mineral identification charts How to use the rock identification charts Rock identification charts Descriptions of some Texas rocks and minerals Anhydrite Asbestos Barite Basalt Calcite Cassiterite Celestite Cinnabar Clay Copper minerals (chalcocite, chalcopyrite, malachite, azurite) Dolomite Feldspar Fluorite Galena Garnet Gneiss Gold Granite Graphite Gypsum Halite Hematite Limestone Limonite Llanite Magnetite Manganese minerals (braunite, hollandite, pyrolusite) Marble Mica Obsidian and vitrophyre Opal Pegmatite Pyrite Quartz Quartzite Rhyolite Sand and sandstone Schist Serpentine Shale Silver minerals (argentite, cerargyrite, native silver) Sulfur Talc and soapstone Topaz Tourmaline Uranium minerals (carnotite, uranophane, pitchblende) Volcanic ash (pumicite) Composition, hardness, and specific gravity of some Texas minerals Books about rocks and minerals Nontechnical books for beginners Textbooks and other reference books Selected references on Texas rocks and minerals