First comprehensive description of the site, which is the top of a remnant oceanic volcano 180 nautical miles off Baja California. The book presents extensive details on the observations made during two major expeditions in 1990 and 1993, including the history, rocks, water, soil and biota. The site is highly significant for biogeographical studies, lying at the boundary between major provinces.
Part I: Background
- Overview: The Cordell Expeditions to Rocas Alijos; R.W. Schmieder
- Discovery and Exploration of Rocas Alijos; R.K. Skinner, R.W. Schmieder
Part II: Rocks
- The Geographic Position of Rocas Alijos; R.W. Schmieder
- Photogrammetry of the Emerged Rocks at Rocas Alijos; S.J. Estey, R.W. Schmieder
- Volcanic Rocks from Rocas Alijos; A.S. Davis, et al.
Part III: Water
- Bathymetry of Rocas Alijos; W.A. Kruse, R.W. Schmieder
- Tidal Pattern at Rocas Alijos; R.A. Rasmussen, R.W. Schmieder
- Ocean Currents at Rocas Alijos; S. Vaughan, et al.
- Vertical Water Temperature Profiles at Rocas Alijos; P. McMurtry, et al.
- Chemical Analysis of Seawater at Rocas Alijos; R.K, Skinner, et al.
Part IV: Sediment and Soil
- Marine Sediment from Rocas Alijos; R.K. Skinner, et al.
- Terrestrial Soil at Rocas Alijos; R.W. Schmieder, et al.
Part V: Microbiota
- Marine Bacteria of Rocas Alijos; J.T. Millington
- Foraminifera of Rocas Alijos; M. McGann
- Plankton from Rocas Alijos; D.J. Barr
Part VI: Mesobiota
- Marine Flora of Rocas Alijos; P.C. Silva, et al.
- Sponges from Rocas Alijos; W.C. Austin
- Hydroids from Rocas Alijos; D.R. Calder
- Stony Corals from Rocas Alijos; E.C. Wilson
- Polychaetes from Rocas Alijos; L. Harris
- Isopods from Rocas Alijos
- Anthozoans, Bryozoans, Brachiopods, and Tunicates of Rocas Alijos; M.K. Wicksten
- Decapod Crustaceans and Pycnogonids of Rocas Alijos; M.K. Wicksten
- A New Species of Hippolytid Shrimp from Rocas Alijos; M.K. Wicksten
- Barnacles of Rocas Alijos; R. Van Syoc
- Marine Molluscs of Rocas Alijos; J.H. McLean, E.V. Coan
- Echinodermata Collected at Rocas Alijos; G. Hendler
- Terrestrial Invertebrates of Rocas Alijos; R.W. Schmieder, et al.
Part VII: Megabiota
- Fishes of Rocas Alijos; D.W. Gotshall
- Birds Observed at Rocas Alijos; E. Senf, M.K. Wicksten
- Avian Specimens from Rocas Alijos; W.T. Everett, R.L. Pitman
- Marine Mammals of Rocas Alijos; R.L. Pitman
Part VIII: Supplementary
- Onsite Observations at Rocas Alijos
- Weather and Sea Conditions at Rocas Alijos
- Comparison of the 1990 and 1993 Expeditions to Rocas Alijos
Part IX: Summaries