Rock
on, friends: it’s Earth Science Week! And from a geological standpoint, there
are few better places to celebrate than the Pacific Northwest.
“Earth’s
Connected Systems” reigns as this year’s point of emphasis, according to the
American Geosciences Institute. Daily activities across the nation will “help
the public gain a better understanding and appreciation for the earth sciences
and encourage stewardship of the Earth.” From coast to coast, organizations are
hosting events that cover a variety of topics, from engineering to plate
tectonics.
As
Oregonians, our environment teems with unique topographical features and prime
examples of nature’s inspiring power. Hike local favorite Mary’s Peak or take a
day trip to the coast to join the festivities. But before you do, consider
reading up on our local geography and the processes that made it so. Browse
below to find just the resources you need to make any Earth Science Week event
more meaningful and enjoyable!
Sixth
Edition
Elizabeth L.
Orr and William N. Orr
A
comprehensive look at the state’s geologic history, Oregon Geology moves through Oregon’s regions to closely examine
the unique geologic features of each, from the Blue Mountains to the Willamette
Valley and beyond.
This
2012 edition includes biographical sketches of notable geologists, highlighting
current environmental problems and tectonic hazards. Lavishly illustrated with
an extensive bibliography, Oregon Geology
offers an in-depth analysis of the state’s striking topography and geologic
features.
Living on a
Restless Coast
Bonnie
Henderson
In
The Next Tsunami, Bonnie Henderson
shares the stories of scientists like meteorologist Alfred Wegener, who
formulate his theory of continental drift while gazing at ice floes calving
from Greenland glaciers, and geologist Brian Atwater, who paddled his dented
aluminum canoe up muddy coastal streams looking for layers of peat sandwiched
among sand and silt. The story begins and ends with Tom Horning, a local
geologist and native of Seaside—arguably the Northwest community with the most
to lose from what scientist Atwater predicts will be an “apocalyptic” disaster.
Henderson’s
compelling story of how scientists came to understand the Cascadia Subduction
Zone and how ordinary people cope with that knowledge is essential reading for
anyone interested in the charged intersection of science, human nature and
public policy.
Living with
Earthquakes in the Pacific Northwest
A Survivor’s
Guide, Second Edition, Revised and Expanded
Robert S.
Yeats
An
essential guide for anyone interested in understanding earthquake science or in
preparing for the next earthquake, this book is also a call to action. Vivid
descriptions of recent disasters – including the great Northwest coastal
tsunami of 1964 and 1993 earthquakes – underscore the urgent need for better
earthquake planning and awareness.
In
this expanded new edition of Living with
Earthquakes, Robert Yeats, a leading authority on earthquakes in California
and the Pacific Northwest, offers fascinating, updated information about the Cascadia
Subduction Zone, a great earthquake fault which runs for hundreds of miles
offshore from British Columbia to northern California.
The Art of
Bonnie Hall
Bonnie Hall
Resolved to
"share the privileged close scrutiny of nature" that she had enjoyed as
a scientific illustrator, Hall created her first screenprint in 1992 while
undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer. Inspired by old botanical prints and
motivated by a desire to draw attention to "the overlooked, undervalued,
or threatened wild things native to our Pacific Northwest landscape," Hall
produced scientifically accurate prints that revealed the personality, life
stages, and the very essence of her subjects – what a fellow artist aptly
called the "gesture" of each plant.
Hall’s
narratives are rich in detail and informed by thorough study into plant
distribution, life histories, use by Native Americans, taxonomic discoveries,
and conservation issues. For botanists, wildflower enthusiasts, gardeners, and
artists, as well as anyone who loves the Pacific Northwest wilderness, Ever Blooming offers a singular glimpse of the natural
world as seen through the eyes of a gifted and inspired artist.
Second
Edition
Elizabeth L.
Orr and William N. Orr
Providing
an unparalleled fossil record of the state, Oregon
Fossils covers a variety of terrains and time periods. From ocean beaches
to the high desert and Blue Mountains to the Siskiyous, all known fossils are
organized by county, age, rock formation and published source.
Unique
among fossil field guides, Oregon Fossils
includes both specimen identification and interesting notes about their
discovery naming and conservation. Sprinkled with biographical sketches of
influential paleontologists, the text is richly illustrated with photographs,
line drawings, charts and maps. A complete bibliography lists full citations to
fossil material. The only single volume that provides Oregon’s fossil record
and history, Oregon Fossils is an
excellent reference for classroom and library use, for researchers, and for
private collectors and hobbyists.
Exploring
the Geologic Past, Present and Future of the Pacific Northwest
Ellen Morris
Bishop
Available
Nov. 2014
Celebrate
the beauty of Earth Science Week all year long with this beautiful upcoming
title. In Living with Thunder,
geologist and photographer Ellen Morris Bishop offers a fascinating and
up-to-date geologic survey of the Northwest—Washington, Oregon, northern
California, and western Idaho. New discoveries include Smith Rock as part of
Oregon’s largest (and most extinct) volcano, portrait of Mount Hood’s 1793-1795
eruptions and new ideas about the origin of the Columbia River basalts and
course of the ancestral Columbia River.
Intended
as an introduction for the general reader and geological non-specialist, Living with Thunder enlivens Northwest
geological history by combining engaging science writing with the author’s
stunning color photographs. In addition, color maps and time charts help guide
the reader. The book presents evidence of changing ecosystems and ancient life,
as well as the Northwest’s exceptional record of past climate changes and the
implications for our future.