Geology: A Research Guide

Geology is the study of the earth and of the materials and processes that shape it. This interdisciplinary subject overlaps and interacts with many other disciplines including chemistry, physics, biology, oceanography, and atmospheric sciences. Government agencies and professional earth science societies are a source of many geological publications. This guide introduces researchers to some of the basic informational sources on the topic. The terms and phrases listed in the subject headings below can be used to search for more materials in the library's catalog and research databases. If you need further assistance, please ask a librarian.

Glossary of Geology, 4th ed. by Julia A. Jackson and Robert L. Bates. Alexandria, VA: American Geological Institute, 1997. ISBN: 0922152349.
Many of the entries contain a syllabification guide and background information; the origin of terms; the meaning of abbreviations and acronyms common in geoscience vocabulary; the dates that many terms were first used; the meaning of certain prefixes; and the preferred term of two or more synonyms.

Encyclopedia of Field and General Geology edited by Charles W. Finkl. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1988. ISBN: 0442224990.
Provides an introduction to general field work through selected topics that illustrate specific techniques and methodologies.

Macmillan Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences edited by E. Julius Dasch. 2 vols. New York: Macmillan Reference USA, 1996. ISBN: 0028830008.
Includes entries on the Earth's processes, resources, natural hazards, and the earth in space. Also included are historical, vocational, and biographical entries.

Magill's Survey of Science, Earth Science Series by Frank N. Magill and Roger Smith. 6 vols. Pasadena, CA: Salem Press, 1990. ISBN: 0893566063.
Information on all branches of earth science, including geology, oceanography, climatology, astronomy, and environmental issues.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Geology and Mineralogy edited by Sybil P. Parker. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1997. ISBN: 0070524327.
Contains 7,000 terms, covering physical geology, historical geology, plate tectonics, petrology, and stratigraphy, with definitions identified by the field in which they are primarily used.

Oxford Companion to the Earth edited by Paul L. Hancock and Brian J. Skinner. New York: Oxford University Press, 2000. ISBN: 0198540396.
Includes entries on all aspects of earth science, along with black-and-white illustrations. Biographies of important scientists and explanations of key principles and terms.

Geology. Geological Society of America. 1973– . Monthly. ISSN: 00917613.
Geological Society of America Bulletin. Geological Society of America. 1961– . Monthly. ISSN: 00167606.
Geotimes. American Geological Institute. 1956– . Monthly. ISSN: 00168556.
The Journal of Geology. University of Chicago Press. 1893– . Bimonthly. ISSN: 00221376.

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American Geological Institute (AGI)
www.agiweb.org
Nonprofit organization that provides information services to geoscientists, serves as a voice for the profession, plays a major role in strengthening geoscience education.

Atlas of Igneous and Metamorphic Rocks, Minerals and Textures
www.geolab.unc.edu/Petunia/IgMetAtlas/mainmenu.html
Part of the virtual geology Web site at the University of North Carolina.

Geosciences Libraries and Resources in the United States and Canada
www.mines.edu/library/reference/map.html
A listing of geological libraries and resources in the United States and Canada, arranged by state.

A Tapestry of Time and Terrain
http://tapestry.usgs.gov
Combined geologic and topographic map.

U.S. Geological Survey
www.usgs.gov
Federal resource for science about the earth, its natural and living resources, natural hazards and the environment.

USGS National Geologic Map Database
http://ngmdb.usgs.gov
Provides a finding tool for over 67,000 maps; over 2,000 are now available online. Researchers will also find a lexicon of geologic names of the United States.