The first comprehensive treatment of the state's fascinating geological history

It�s a little-known fact, but Mississippi has a volcano. True, it�s buried under 2,600 feet of sediment, but it was red hot and active roughly 79 to 69 million years ago, and evidence of its bulging remains are visible in the Jackson area. Mississippi emerged along the edge of a massive tear that formed as tectonics tried to rip the continent asunder. The full rift was never realized, but like a crack in a foundation, everything built on top of it has been affected. The failed rift became a linear basin, stretching from Illinois to the Gulf of Mexico, and for millions upon millions of years the sea rose and fell in this embayment, leaving behind tens of thousands of feet of sediment. The Mighty Mississippi River, one of state�s youngest and most dynamic features, follows the rift�s contours today. In Roadside Geology of Mississippi geoscientists Stan Galicki and Darrel Schmitz unearth the state�s deeply buried stories in 63 road logs that traverse the entire state, from the Gulf Coast to the state�s highest point (807 feet!) in the northeast corner. A healthy dose of full-color illustrations and photos complements the authors� illuminating geologic tales. With Roadside Geology of Mississippi in hand, you�ll understand the underpinnings of the Magnolia State as never before.

In this seminal work, Crider explores the rich geology and mineral resources of Mississippi, providing a detailed examination of the state's soils, rocks, and minerals. With helpful maps and charts, as well as detailed descriptions and classifications of different geological formations, this book is an essential resource for anyone interested in the natural history of the region. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.