In this issue of Plateau Magazine, Wayne Ranney delves deep into the geological history of the Verde Valley. "The Precambrian" The geological record of the Verde Valley begins with rocks formed in the Precambrian Era, a time period so vast and far removed from the present that even geologists experience difficulty comprehending the length of time that it represents. "The Early Paleozoic" Whereas the Precambrian rocks exposed at Jerome give evidence for a submarine volcanic setting, most of the Paleozoic rocks in the Verde Valley record a time of hot, desert environments. "The Late Paleozoic" Without a doubt, the most spectacular rocks within the Verde Valley are the red rocks exposed near Sedona that were deposited during the Pennsylvanian and Permian periods. "The Mesozoic" When the Kaibab seas finally retreated about 260 million years ago, there were other environments that may have left sediment on top of the Kaibab formation. But the following 35 million years of earth history have no record on the Colorado Plateau. "The Cenozoic" Although it seems that the most recent history should be the easiest to document, the Cenozoic throughout much of Arizona was a time of erosion, and rocks either were never deposited or were stripped away.

The Verde Valley: A geological history

Wayne Ranney

Museum of Northern Arizona

Preface, by David D. Gillette"Defining the Colorado Plateau-A Geologic Perspective", by Wayne Ranney An illuminating presentation of the structural geology behind the "Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How" of the remarkable homeland celebrated and interpreted by the Museum of Northern Arizona. Geologist and educator Wayne Ranney vividly recounts what scientists have discovered about theColorado Plateau province, and highlights some of the remaining geologicalquestions facing researchers today."Four Contemporary Viewpoints" MNA associates offer scholarly insights into both the geologic history and current geologic study of the Plateau. "The Volcanic History of the Colorado Plateau", by Richard F. Holm "The Plateau's Relationship to the Basin and Range", by Ivo Lucchitta "What Caused the Uplift of the Colorado Plateau?" by G. Kent Colbath "Paleozoic and Mesozoic Events" on the Colorado Plateau, by Ronald C. BlakeyGlossaryEnd notesPoem "Topography" by Anne Weiler Walka

Defining the Colorado Plateau - A Geologic Perspective (Plateau: Land and People of the Colorado Plateau, 6/1 & 6/2)

David D. Gillette

Richard F. Holm

Ivo Lucchitta

G. Kent Colbath

Ronald C. Blakey

Is that a Mesa or Butte? Are there many Volcanoes in Arizona? How do Natural Bridges form? Find out in this book!

Easy Field Guide to Arizona Landforms (Easy Field Guides)

Primer Pub

Sedona Through Time: Geology of the Red Rocks

Science & Math

Zia Interpretive Services

Visitors to the towering red rock cliffs near Sedona seldom realize that the area was once a broad river floodplain that lay beyond the Ancestral Rocky Mountains. Or that this same place was later buried in a vast, Sahara-like desert, still later to lie beneath the waters of a warm tropical sea filled with ancient life forms. Sedona Through Time is an eminently readable story of the evolution of this fantastic landscape through the eons of geologic time in this 160 page full color book.

Sedona Through Time: A Guide to Sedona's Geology

Sedona, The very word conjures images of stately red rock spires, graceful cliffs, and verdant Oak Creek Canyon. But how did al this marvelous scenery come to be? And what was the specific sequence of geologic events that created this world-renowned landscape? The answers are sure to surprise and delight your interest. Never watered-down to insignificance, yet accessible and engaging in scope, Sedona Through Time is a masterpiece of nature writing. This fully revised and updated 3rd edition is a must-read for anyone who visits or is interested in Sedona's landscape.

Sedona Through Time

Earth Sciences

Arizona Highways assembled a photographer and two writers, asking each to apply his specialty in relating the Grand Canyon's physical and metaphysical qualities. Their encounters with the Canyon embody decades of experience, and their previous works have garnered awards. The result combines journalistic and impressionistic descriptions, both in words and in photographs.

Grand Canyon: A Photographer's Favorite Viewpoints

Travel

Charles Bowden

United States

Arizona Highways

The stunning vistas of the Grand Canyon come alive through the photography of Pulitzer Prize winner Jack Dykinga. Complementing the photography, award-winning writers Charles Bowden and Wayne Ranney offer unique perspectives on the Canyon s magnificent beauty and the theories surrounding its fascinating formation.

Images: Jack Dykinga's Grand Canyon

Arts & Photography

Photography & Video

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Wayne Ranney. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Wayne Ranney

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Wayne Ranney. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

The Verde Valley: A geological history

Defining the Colorado Plateau - A Geologic Perspective (Plateau: Land and People of the Colorado Plateau, 6/1 & 6/2)

Easy Field Guide to Arizona Landforms (Easy Field Guides)

Sedona Through Time: Geology of the Red Rocks

Sedona Through Time: A Guide to Sedona's Geology

Sedona Through Time

Grand Canyon: A Photographer's Favorite Viewpoints

Sedona Through Time

Images: Jack Dykinga's Grand Canyon