Beginning with Mt. Vesuvius, whose eruption in Roman times helped spark the science of geology; and ending in a lab in England where mathemati-cal models and lab experiments replace direct observation, Richard Fortey tells us what the present says about ancient geologic processes. He shows how plate tectonics came to rule the geophysical landscape and how the evidence is written in the hills and in the stones. And in the process, he takes us on a wonderful journey around the globe to visit some of the most fascinating and intriguing spots on the planet.

Acknowledgements

Preface

1 Up and Down

2 Island

3 Oceans and Continents

4 Alps

5 Plates

6 Ancient Ranges

7 The Dollar

8 Hot Rocks

9 Fault Lines

10 The Ancient of Days

11 Cover Story

12 Deep Things

13 World View

  Picture Credits

  Further Reading

  Index