Dictionary of Geological Terms: Third Edition

To all working geologists! You should all have this on your desks! I used it to study for the ASBOG exam and have since found it invaluable in my working life. It has all the odd and obscure geological terms that we all have heard in college but have since forgotten. Its a great reference!

There is no way I could have survived 4 years of college level geology without this text. This is a must have book for the student of the geological sciences.

After spending over five years at the university studying geology, I would estimate that I can readily define less than half of terms in this dictionary. I just don't use them in my work. However, that is still pretty good considering that this comprehensive volume covers terminology from astrogeology, cartography, crystallography, mineralogy, economic geology, geochemistry, geomorpholgy, geophysics, glacial geology, hydrology, oceanograhy, palontology, petrology, stratigraphy, structural geology, and volcanology. This isn't the latest edition from the American Geological Institute, but believe me, it will cover 99.9% of anything you will ever need to look up. As for anything "cutting-edge", well, you'll probably remember that from the journals, if is of any importance to your work.I've come to the conclusion over the years that the various branches of geology have evolved more specialised terms than any of the other sciences. That's why it is so easy for a specialist in another field, or a rock hound with a dictionary, to trip you up. That's also why you need your own copy of this book....Oh yes, I could also see where this volume could be of help in preparing for the Advanced Test in Geology for the Graduate Record Exam- you never know what they are going to throw at you, either.

I am a geology major and found it annoying to have to go through all of my text books to make sure I was spelling and using words properly when writing papers. I've only had this book a week and it has made writing my semester geomorphology project so much easier. Having all the terms in one place is such a convenience. Although I am relatively new to the field, I would recommend this to anyone in the geosciences. It was recommended to me by a Ph.D. so it has to at least be decent. It's not a bad price either. Check it out.

I've had this dictionary for over 2 months now, and I have yet found a geological term that is not in this book. The definitions are simple and easy to understand. I recommend this book to any one that is interested in the science of geology. Good for profesionals and students. This book has every geological term from 'aa' to 'zweikanter'.