*Levin, Harold. The Earth Through Time. 2006. 8th Edition. Wiley Higher Education: NJ.

Levin’s popular textbook chronicles the evolution of Earth’s geology and biology in an engaging manner, supported by abundant photos and illustrations. Professor Sean personally prefers Prothero’s book for its broader perspective and humor but Levin’s is an equally commendable textbook on this topic.

Levin’s comparison of the chemical and mechanical properties of Earth’s interior helps students understand two approaches for investigating Earth’s interior, one based on mineralogy and the other based on seismology.

This introductory textbook in historical geology complement some of the geological and biological aspects of Exploring the World Ocean. Chapters on geologic time, the history of modern geology, evolution, radiocarbon dating, plate tectonics, and climate change are especially useful. It provides an excellent resource for students and instructors interested in learning more about these topics.

Reference for: Chapter 3, Figure 3-6
Reference for: Chapter 2, The Foundations of Modern Geology

*Plummer, Charles, Diane Carlson, and David McGeary. 2007. Physical Geology, 11th edition. McGraw-Hill Higher Education: IA.

This textbook remains one of the leading textbooks for introductory Physical Geology. We borrowed from their explanations and illustrations on radiocarbon dating. This topic deserves careful treatment and a more detailed explanation in light of concerted efforts to discount evolution and geologic time.

One of the impressive aspects of Plummer and McGeary’s textbook is that each new edition updates existing information to reflect new findings.

*Prothero, Donald R. and Robert H. Dott. 2004. Evolution of the Earth, 7th Edition. McGraw-Hill Higher Education: IA

*Condie, Kent. 2001. Mantle Plumes and Their Record in Earth History. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, UK.

This book provides a comprehensive review of mantle plumes and the evidence for them.

*Condie, Kent. 2005. Earth as an Evolving Planetary System, 4th Edition. Elsevier: MA

In this revised edition of “Plate Tectonics and Crustal Evolution”, Condie adds new information on supercontinent cycles and mantle plumes. This book is an excellent reference for information on the evolution of Earth’s crust and plate tectonics processes.

*Dictionary of Geology and Mineralogy, 2nd Edition. 2003. McGraw-Hill: NY

*Kennett, James. 1982. Marine Geology. Prentice-Hall: NJ.

Kennett’s book is a classic in Marine Geology. In fact, we wish he would update it. That this textbook remains a valuable reference for more than 25 years is a testament to his writing. Above all, it’s an excellent entry way into the scientific literature of its era.

*Redfern, Martin. 2003. The Earth: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press: UK

*Erickson, Jon. 2003. Marine Geology: Exploring the New Frontiers of the Ocean, Revised Edition. Checkmark Books: NY

*Holmes, A. 1945. Principles of Physical Geology. Ronald Press Company. Chapter 21, Continental Drift. 487-509.

Reference for: Chapter 3, Historical Development of Plate Tectonics Theory

Holmes’ textbook on Physical Geology promoted the idea of mantle convection long before it was popularly accepted. (We hope that doesn’t say something about textbook authors!) It adds credence of Oreskes’ contention that “lack of a mechanism” was not the reason for rejecting Wegener. If you want to gain a sense of what geology and geology teaching was like in the mid-1900s, check out this book.

*Blay, Chuck and Robert Siemers. 2004. Kauai’s Geologic History. Updated Edition. The Edge of Kauai Investigations: HI

Though focused on Kauai, this smart little book features an excellent summary of hot spots and the geology of the Hawaiian Islands.

*Greene, M.T., 1982. Geology in the Nineteenth Century: Changing Views of a Changing World. Cornell University Press. 324 pp.

This book takes a detailed look at the fascinating history of 19th century geology. It is an excellent reference for anyone with an interest in the development of geologic thinking.

*Shepard, Francis. 1973. Submarine Geology, 3rd Edition.

Shepard’s textbooks on marine geology are classic. His geomorphological classification of coastlines remains in use today.

*Shepard, Francis. 1977. Geological Oceanography: Evolution of Coasts, Continental Margins, and the Deep-Sea Floor. Crane, Russak, and Co: NY

Another of Shepard’s classics.

Blatt, H., G. Middleton, and R. Murray. 1980. Origin of Sedimentary Rocks, 2nd edition. Prentice-Hall: NJ

Reference for: Chapter 15, Figure 15-14