Why Geology Matters: Decoding the Past, Anticipating the Future

by Doug Macdougall

Volcanic dust, climate change, tsunamis, earthquakes—geoscience explores phenomena that profoundly affect our lives. But more than that, as Doug Macdougall makes clear, the science also provides important clues to the future of the planet. In an entertaining and accessibly written narrative, Macdougall gives an overview of Earth’s astonishing history based on information extracted from rocks, ice cores, and other natural archives. He explores such questions as: What is the risk of an asteroid striking Earth? Why does the temperature of the ocean millions of years ago matter today? How are efforts to predict earthquakes progressing? Macdougall also explains the legacy of greenhouse gases from Earth’s past and shows how that legacy shapes our understanding of today’s human-caused climate change. We find that geoscience in fact illuminates many of today’s most pressing issues—the availability of energy, access to fresh water, sustainable agriculture, maintaining biodiversity—and we discover how, by applying new technologies and ideas, we can use it to prepare for the future.

Genres: Geology, Science, Nonfiction, Earth Sciences, Popular Science, Nature, History

304 pages, Hardcover

First published April 2, 2011

About the author

Doug Macdougall is a former Professor of Earth Sciences (now Emeritus) at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego. Born in Toronto, he currently resides in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Reviews

[Barb Middleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy to read book on earth science. He says that if you compared life of the earth (4.5 billion years) to that of Homo sapiens (200,00 years) it would be like watching a 3 hour movie on the formation of earth with people showing up in the last half second! I did not know there were five major extinctions. The author explains how oceans clean carbon dioxide out of the air and other fragile balances that make earth unique. He’s also easy to read and not technical. Great book!

[Margie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and well-written book about the basics of earth science. 'Geology' in the title is a bit misleading, I think, because it really covers most of earth science.
The first couple of chapters are a bit overly earnest, in a sweet nerdy way, but that falls away in the later chapters.
I was a bit surprised that Harry Hess wasn't mentioned in the chapter about the development of plate tectonics theory, but then as a Walter Alvarez devotee I'm used to hearing Uncle Harry promoted quite a bit (Harry was Walter's dissertation advisor at Princeton). And to be fair, there were others who developed the theory. I'm just so used to hearing about Uncle Harry that I noted the omission.
I can recommend this to geo-nerds like me who have an interest but not necessarily the scientific background.

[Margherita · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book that every people living on planet Earth should definitely read!


That's a wonderful voyage through the Earth system and the history of our beautiful changing -resiliant but fragile- Planet. It's a book about ourselves in relation with the natural world. It tells you what Earth Science is about and why we should definitely study this big amazing subject in every school and at every stage of education. Because "today almost everything we use in our daily lives comes from the Earth, and geology plays a crucial role in feeding our voracious appetite for material and energy".

So, what is geoscience about?
To quote the author, "this subject is perhaps the most interdisciplinary of all sciences, drawing the efforts of mathematicians, physicists, chemists, engineers and biologist." And all of these subjects are pursuing the same goal: a better understanding of the Earth's natural processes.

Geology really matters and we have to trust geologist because "the field holds the keys to understanding and addressing many of the most pressing problems facing society [...] such as: availability of energy and mineral resources; access to fresh water; climate change; ocean acidification; agricultural sustainability; and maintaining biodiversity."

The author is a brilliant geologist that will let you change your mind about little things that you take for granted, like "our morning shower" that "in many places is only possible because geoscientists and engineers have worked out the details of buried aquifers and their recharge areas, and have developed effective plans to make the flow of water from our taps sustainable."

Not to mention climate change, and "the role geoscientists play in this issue" that is "to monitor, analyze, and model the climate system, past and present, and to forecast the probable consequences of different actions society may take in the face of rising greenhouse gas concentrations."

Also ocean acidification is a key issue that we have to face today and especially in the future and who but the geologist can study this phenomenon?

In conclusion, "if the Antropocene is the epoch when humans became a geological force, it also has the potential to be a time when human ingenuity is used to reverse at least some of the negative effects this development has brought. And the only way that can be done is with a thorough understanding of how it has evolved through its long history."

Geosciences really do matter and so does this book.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

“mineral resources are indisputably finite.” (pg. 258)

Could recycled cell phones be an “ore” of the future? Is water going to become the “new gold”? “Is it possible to have a sustainable future in which society’s needs are met without irreparable damage to the Earth and its people?” (pg. 258). These are the types of questions that Doug Macdougall poses and addresses in the final chapter of Why Geology Matters, a chapter titled, aptly: “Why Geology Matters.” This final chapter is a sobering yet hopeful summary of the challenges facing us in our near future on Earth (finite resources, climate change, ocean acidification, threats to biodiversity, etc.), and a clear explanation of how the field of geology can inform and equip us to navigate these challenges.

Given the title of the book, however, I was expecting these topics of the final chapter (current and near-future practical applications of the geosciences) to be expanded upon in much more detail. Instead, the 12 preceding chapters were more of an overview of main geological concepts (plate tectonics, asteroid impacts, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, extinction events, ice ages, evolution of life, etc.) with explanations of how we know what we do about the Earth, its processes, and its history. In most of these chapters, there are limited direct connections made to why these concepts might matter to society at large, except for the usual and fairly obvious ‘understanding the past makes it easier to predict and model the future.’

As an introduction to several major geological concepts, this book solidly hits the mark. Macdougall succeeds in providing clear explanations for even complex and detailed processes and concepts. The last paragraph of each chapter brilliantly summarizes the main points and their implications. However, there is something about the writing style that I can’t quite pinpoint that did make this book a really slow read for me, even compared to other nonfiction; because there’s so much information conveyed, this book requires the reader’s constant full attention.

Quotes:

“To the uninitiated, a rock is just a rock, a hard, inanimate object to kick down the road or throw into a pond. Look a little closer and ask the right questions, however, and it becomes more—sometimes much more. Every single rock on the Earth’s surface has a story to tell. How did the rock form? When did it form? What is it made of? What is its history? How did it get here, and where did it come from? Why is this kind of rock common in one region and not in another?” (pg. 2)

“Why did the tetrapods move onto land? ‘Because it was there’ is one answer, and there may be some truth in it.” (pg. 237)

“To a considerable extent, the immediate future of our planet is now in our own hands.” (pg. 248)

[Noah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best layman's introduction to earth science that I have read.

[Richard Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book goes into great depth on many Geoscience topics in many different fields. It also includes many newer concepts and discoveries that form an important foundation for explaining global and astronomical geologic control of our climate. Macdougall does an excellent job of tying together many far flung concepts throughout all of the Geosciences and then bringing them back together to explain global climate control factors.

Almost the entirety of the book is devoted to providing a strong foundation in important Geoscience concepts. This is necessary to get the reader to the last chapter with an adequate understanding of the basics so that the title question can be asked and answered - Why Geology Matters? The last chapter does an excellent job of revealing why all of these varied geologic concepts and investigations matter to our everyday lives.

Do yourself a favor and read this book. Do your best to understand how the Earth works so that you might understand what will happen if we push the Earth systems too far with our utter disregard of protecting the Earth from ourselves.

[Mike Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Answers many mysteries of our home planet, and enables humans to real understanding how earth is front and center our home, and what is possible due to the current health of our home, planet earth.

A clear and straight forward approach of what is possible, as well as the consequences, for our home planet, and for our children, and our children's children. One of the best books on earth science that I have read.

[Smh624 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very easy to read high-level review of many important aspects of earth science. Anyone interested in a dispassionate explanation of the theories and information about climate change will find this book very useful. I hope the author updates this book at some point in the future as more information becomes available.

[Kylie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good science book for someone without a formal science back ground. Thanks to the rock Dr. KT Phillips (now Byrd) I had some basic understanding of geology which is why I chose the book. I had no idea how much our climate was regulated by geology.

[Eliana · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent overview of earth history and how scientists learn about it. Quite enjoyable and informative. I really enjoyed the section on the P-T boundary. Although I disappointed that Clare Patterson wasn't mentioned.

[Miriam Burden · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good book for those who don't necessarily have a formal education and for those who do! My college geology class was so dry; I remember just labeling minerals and types of rocks. This book is more interdisciplinary and it looks at the big picture.

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thorough and informative trip through deep time and the geological story of our planet. Even as far as this topic goes, quite the ambitious take on big picture surveys. A good way for the layman to dip into the forces that make the world we live on.

[Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book I have read on the big questions in the geosciences, such as the causes of past global warmings and coolings, and the causes of past mass extinctions.

[jeffrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book I've read providing an up to date overview of earth sciences for the layperson. Interestingly presented and well-written.

[Bob Grove · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is essential for anyone interested in Geoscience, delving into a wide array of topics with remarkable depth. It introduces new concepts and discoveries crucial for understanding the global and astronomical geological factors that shape our climate. Macdougall’s skillful integration of diverse Geoscience ideas creates a compelling narrative, illustrating how these concepts interconnect to influence climate control on a global scale. Readers will find a robust foundation in vital Geoscience principles throughout the book. This groundwork is necessary to answer the question posed in the concluding chapter: Why does geology matter? The final chapter powerfully conveys the relevance of these varied geological concepts and studies to our everyday existence. Don’t miss the opportunity to read this transformative book. Gaining insight into how the Earth operates is not just enlightening; it’s crucial for understanding what may happen if we continue to exploit Earth’s systems without regard for our environment. Protecting our planet starts with knowledge, and this book is a vital resource in that endeavor.

[Kristi Thielen · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my next lifetime, I’m going to be a geologist. Until then, I will read excellent and enjoyable books like this to be reminded of why this science is so fascinating.

MacDougall tells the varied and intersecting stories of the Earth’s birth and many manifestations; how impacts from meteorites have (and will) affect the Earth; the discovery of and importance of plate tectonics; how “reading” sedimentary rock around the world is a key to our history; the significance of the spreading sea floor; how earthquakes have (and will) affect the Earth and how volcanoes have (and will) do the same.

He concludes with a thoughtful analysis of how geology plays a role in so many sciences, from astronomy to biology, and how geology factors into contemporary issues from water resources, to nuclear weapons to climate change.

If you read only one book about geology, this should be it . . . even if you don’t pipe dream about being a geologist.

[Peer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good introduction to geology, earth science and the facts behind climate change. A must read for every earth science student, and others interested in our physical world.

[T.M. Gautham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Superb book on Geology for people who aren't from Geology background. Geology enthusiasts will enjoy this book. I have abandoned last few chapters.

[Gerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

great overview of geology concepts for geologists and non geologists air

[Iván Ferreira · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite a lot of facts, lacks a bit of emotion.

[Josh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reviewed for Earth Magazine