Geology of the Great Basin

The great basin of the United States has brought countless thought and wonder to scientists over the years. "Geology of the Great Basin" is a scientific guide discussing the many unique features and history of the basin. Describing the core fundamentals of geology when approaching this region, Bill Fiero gives readers a complete and comprehensive discussion, complete with color photographs, many maps of many types, diagrams and more. For anyone curious of the science of the environment of the west, "Geology of the Great Basin" is a top pick that should not be ignored.

An amazing description of one of the most geologically diverse and unique areas in the world that lies almost in the shadow of Las Vegas. Easy to understand if you don't have a lot of science background and easy to see if you travel the Great Basin area. A great introduction to geology in general and the geological features of Nevada in particular.

The National Park Service maintains an excellent website devoted to exploring geology in the national parks. It developed the site primarily for teachers, listing a host of educational resources devoted to national parks from Maine to Hawaii. The materials are specifically designed for teaching geology, but they could be easily incorporated into a general science class. Best of all, they provide an reliable source of information for the general reader as a starting point. As one example, John McPhee got me interested in the Great Basin with Basin and Range, a wonderful book about the history and geology of the region. (Another excellent book on the region I enjoyed is The Sagebrush Ocean, Tenth Anniversary Edition: A Natural History Of The Great Basin (Max C. Fleischmann Series in Great Basin Natural History.) by Stephen Trimble.) I've traveled in the area a bit, and always enjoy reading more about the Basin. As a general reader, I thought that NPS's review of this book was a perfect description: "This book is filled with black and white and color photos as well as sketches that explain the geology of the Great Basin. A terrific jargon-free guide for anyone who wants to know about the physical characteristics of the region. This best-selling book has introduced casual readers to the geologic wonders of the Great Basin for over ten years. From the sun-scorched sands of Death Valley to the briny waters of the Great Salt Lake, Fiero takes readers on an earthly tour that encompasses nearly 250,000 square miles--in six states. Magnificent color photos and informative diagrams are combined to make it easy for the nonscientist to understand this still relatively secret part of the North American Continent." If you have any interest in the national parks, stop by the National Park's wonderful website nps.gov . If you have any interest in the Great Basin, follow NPS's suggestion and pick up this excellent book. Robert C. Ross 2008

While perhaps not for the hedonistic traveler intent on enjoying the nightlife in Las Vegas or Reno, this book is an excellent primer for those interested in understanding the origin of the geologic structures observable in the Great Basin. I checked it out of the Library and have since determined to purchase it as it explains much what I observe around me (as a resident of the area in question) on a daily basis.

The Great Basin is generally regarded as "flyover country", meaning you either fly over it or drive through it on your way to somewhere else. The big cities are all on the edge; Salt Lake City, Reno, Las Vegas. And it isn't "scenic" for the most part, having only one national park. Say the two words, and most Americans think of a dreary, dry, empty expanse of overgrazed sagebrush. Well, most Americans are wrong.The Great Basin, explored on its terms, is a fascinating expanse of unique geology, as Bill Fiero, a professor of geology at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, shows you in this fine book. Written in easily read style, and understandable to anyone who has gone to high school, the book takes you on a general tour of the wonders of Great Basin, including well-known Bonneville Salt Flats, a remnant of an Ice Age lake bigger than Lake Michigan. You will also read about recent volcanoes, earthquake activity and faults, deep trenches such as Death Valley, ancient, dried up rivers, and fossil sand dunes. Canyons, badlands, and mountains are also part of this region, and author Fiero takes you through these areas as well, all the while explaining how and why all of these features came to exist as they do.The book not only has excellent color and black and white photographs, following side-by-side with the narratives, but gives the reader an excellent background on physical geology in general, Indeed, it could easily be used as an introductory college text. Remember that one advantage to the Great Basin is its aridity, which enables you to see and understand the rocks and what they tell much better.I bought the original edition two decades ago, and the recent revision is even better. Anyone planning a trip to the Southwest, in particular, Nevada, would be well advised to obtain this book. As with most folks, I like to gamble and see the shows when I go, but this book will show you many more fascinating things to see and do. Highly recommended to anyone with an interest in the geology, or the Southwest as a whole.