Great Lakes Rocks: 4 Billion Years of Geologic History in the Great Lakes Region

I received the book in a timely fashion, well packaged, and in absolute perfect condition. If it had ever been owned, it very obviously had never been read. Can't ask for anything more than that...

Well-written book for those interested in the geologic history of the Great Lakes area. I think the audience for this includes amateur armchair geologists (like myself) with interest but no formal training, though the information is presented with enough detail that it’s not exactly a casual beach read for those outside of the field or those lacking a science background. Not an intro to geology book or something to buy for a younger kid.I learned a lot and enjoyed the detail, even if some of it was above my head.

I'm only partially through, but really enjoying the casual tone and anecdotes. Descriptions of the geological history and how it connects to us now!

This book is a review of the complex and classic geology of the Great Lakes region. It incorporates recent findings on the age, structure and tectonics of the rocks. The book works back through time, focusing first on modern geology and glacial history, then the Paleozoic sedimentary rocks, the Mid-continental Rift, the assembly of the craton in early Precambrian time and the forming of the crust in the depths of Hadean time 4 billion years ago. A final chapter looks to the future of the region with regard to such things as climate change. I think the book is probably most suitable for advanced undergraduate or graduate students starting work in the Great Lakes region who are seeking an overview of the geology. It is also of interest to non-professionals interested in the area’s geology. As a retired geology professor, I found the reviews useful with updated information I have missed in not following the literature as closely in retirement. I think it is rough going for someone without some basic geology, especially sorting out all the various Precambrian terranes. The text is well-written, contains only a few errors I caught (my name misspelled in the bibliography, for example). The illustrations (maps and diagrams) can be complex and take some study. Caveat emptor: It is NOT a book detailing rock and mineral localities - so local rock, mineral and fossil collectors looking for places to hunt will be greatly disappointed in it.

Great maps and figures the by the artist by who by contribution right should be a coauthor. I had high hopes for this book which suffers massively from conflation where the author clearly has an agenda which is more political than scientific re global warming. At every possible point there is some added mention of catastrophic “ anthropogenic greenhouse gasses” all without citation (which is at odds with the geology sections ) which are generally adequately referenced. I am surprised the editors at U Mich press allowed the repetitive unrestrained Gore catachism to degrade what would otherwise have been a good popular science reference on GreatLakes geology. The geology when restricted to the science is well done but the political harangue is unseemly omnipresent and annoying.

all you need to know about how the great lakes was formed. written by a geologis, easy for ordinary person to understand. highly recommend