The Key to Earth History An Introduction to Stratigraphy

About this book

Examines the basic stratigraphical methods used to establish, date and interpret sequences of rocks as the products of a series of events in the Earth's history. Also presents the results of these methods which allow geologists to build up a record of the way in which the Earth's global environment has changed through geological time.

Contents

Preface. Illustrations. Introduction: What is Stratigraphy? PRINCIPLES. Uniformitarianism or Actualism. Establishing the Sequence of Events. Geological Time. Interpreting the Stratigraphical Record. The Evolution and Closure of Sedimentary Basins: The Role of Plate Tectonics. The Stratigraphical Tool Kit: Case Studies. Summary of Part One: The Stratigraphical Tool Kit. THE PATTERN OF EARTH HISTORY. Introduction to Part Two. The Stratigraphical Record and Global Rhythm. The North Atlantic Region: A Journey Through Time. The Precambrian: Peering into Deep Time. Pangaea: Birth of a Giant. Pangaea and the Opening of the Atlantic. Summary of Part Two: The Pattern of Earth History. Lexicon of Stratigraphical Terms. Index.

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