Includes bibliographical references (pages 349-367) and index.
Contents:
Geology : an Australian perspective -- The earth : a geology primer -- Telling geological time : the great canvas -- The cratons : building the core of Precambrian rocks -- Mountain building : Paleozoic orogenic rock systems -- Warm times : tropical corals and arid lands -- Icehouse : carboniferous and Permian glaciation-- Mesozoic warming : the great inland plains and seas -- The birth of modern Australia : flowering plants,mammals and deserts -- Fossils: the Australian record of past life context -- The land stirs : volcanoes and eastern highlands -- The outline and submerged terrace : building the continental shelf and coastlines -- The coral reefs : unique parts of the continental shelf -- Patterns of change : cycles in Australia's journey.
Summary:
"This book documents the rich and spectacular heritage of the Australian continent over the last 4400 million years. Now in its third edition, The Geology of Australia provides a comprehensive overview of Australia's geology, landscapes and Earth resources. Beginning with the Precambrian rocks that hold clues to the origins of life and the development of an oxygenated atmosphere, it goes on to cover the warm seas, volcanism and episodes of mountain building that formed the eastern third of the Australian continent. This illuminating history details the breakup of the supercontinents Rodinia and Gondwana, the times of previous glaciations, the development of climates and landscapes in modern Australia, and the creation of the continental shelves and coastlines."--Back cover.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.