Western Europe's Natural Wonders: Iceland, Pyrenees, and Western Alps

Western Europe’s Natural Wonders is part of a series of books that provides a geologic guideto some of the most iconic, interesting, and geologically significant features of the Earth’s surface. This volume takes readers across three classic locations in Western Europe including the Mid-Atlantic Ridge in Iceland and classic locations in the development of geology in the Alps and Pyrenees. It examines plate tectonics from spreading centers to convergent margins and discusses the deformation of mountain ranges and sedimentary basins, reviews the importance of geology in a historical context, explains the role of geology in agriculture, mining, and energy development, and highlights mineral and fossil locations. Sections describe volcanism, glacial features, and the concepts of ice ages, thrust faulting, mountain building, and plate tectonics. Written in a conversational style, this is a lavishly illustrated set of self-guided tours for students and teachers, professionals, and amateur Earth scientists to understand the key geologic aspects of local landscapes. Features Explains the geology of regions with emphasis on landscape and scenery along a series of road transects. Includes numerous colorful maps and breathtaking photos of geological landscapes to illustrate various geological features. Provides background and insights that enhance the experience of the reader far beyond simple sightseeing. Easy to read and understood by the lay person and written by a career geologist with decades of experience in the field. This book is for a variety of readers, from those with a deep knowledge and understanding of geology and earth sciences to those with a desire to learn more about how their natural surroundings and scenic parks came to be and what the scenery tells us about Earth's history. It is also an invaluable source of knowledge for professional Earth scientists who want to better understand their local geology, as well as tourism professionals, tourism boards, and agencies who wish to promote their scenic areas and parks.