GeologyRocks

Any of the Famous Five books by Enid Blyton because my sister used to read them and she always used to say "they're exploring a cave again!" about two thirds of the way through.

Also the first Jack Reacher book by Lee Child (can't remember what it was called).  In it the hero negotiates his way through miles of uranium workings without a lamp by following the draught.  I always wished I had that capability. 

Its surprising how much geology (sensible stuff) is in Terry Pratchets books.  Yes, even Disc World has a 'geology'.    

John

“Civilisation exists by geological consent, subject to change without notice.” -  Will Durant

Nearly forgot....someone told me recently that the guy who write books on horse racing (can't remember his name - I know I've never read any of his books)  wrote one which involved minerals or a mineral collection.

John

“Civilisation exists by geological consent, subject to change without notice.” -  Will Durant

Ok, that all sounds promising.  I do like the point about Disc World geology   Wonder if there's a Lord of the Rings geology too!

dunno.  Never read Lord of the Rings.

In Pratchets' books its very obvious. In fact there is one called 'Strata'

John

“Civilisation exists by geological consent, subject to change without notice.” -  Will Durant

Obviously well thought out books!

Hi,

 I'm new here, and came across this thread. Um, hope it's okay to mention my own book.

 BADWATER is a mystery/thriller about a team of forensic geologists tracking radioactive waste in Death Valley.

link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005466WQ6

I should also mention the author Sarah Andrews, who also writes a mystery series with a forensic geologist protagonist.

Wow.  That certainly counts. Well done! 

Did you self publish?  How is business going? I'm an aspiring author myself, though not yet in the geology field.  Was hoping to add gemology into one of my next books, though my genre is typically chick lit. 

Published Indie, via my agent. Sales are steady but I'd sure like to improve the numbers ;) 

I would think you could add gemology to a chick lit story. Best of luck with yours!

... do I read them, but bored and stranded, I picked up a Ludlum novel: "The Bancroft Strategy". Within the first 100 pages there has been a few geology metaphors. I can't remember them all, and I care not to dig them up, but for instance, one was something like- "if there is a Mohs scale of hard assness..."

It leaves me wondering if Ludlum has a geological education???

That being said, I am a history geek(after Paleozoic inverts)... espescially, 20th Century history.

Thanks Toni.  Totally understand about the numbers game but seems like you're doing pretty well That's great.

And solius, I love the Moh's scale of hard assness lol  Does seem like geology was at least a part of his education!

Talking of which, Hutton rode everywhere on a horse, and obviously covered a great many miles, but he was apparently no horseman.  There is an account of his journies, which a friend has promised to lend me, entitled 'Huttons Arse'

John

“Civilisation exists by geological consent, subject to change without notice.” -  Will Durant

sounds like that could be a bit of a laugh!

John, thanks for the heads-up on Hutton's Arse. ;) 

Gotta go check that one out!

I'm wondering now, not just about literature, but a little bit about John's Durant quote.  Coming from Classics, I know about how important the subject is to study for a more sound education but it's dying out in schools, which is a real shame.  Geology itself is quite a marginalised subject at school  (I was very lucky to study it) but it's of great importance in its own right, not least because it teaches us how to understand and respect the Earth.  Do you think there's any good way to make it more popular and available in the curriculum?  Or should it perhaps be a more specialised subject studied in later life, say at university?

I know it's not literature but if you check out Textures: Reaching Home on uTube you'll see the bands video for their single which shows a range of volcanic features.  It's also a good track and an impressive album (if you like metal that is).

I think I've been to at least one of the places that video was shot Gus. Los Hervideros (The Hotbeds/Hot Springs). Not really springs from a geological point of view, but eroding lava tubes!

Does it look familiar? Of course you'd need all sorts of fancy filters and high definition equipment to make it look like that video!

Wow!  Where exactly is that Ben?

John

“Civilisation exists by geological consent, subject to change without notice.” -  Will Durant

It's on the west coast of Lanzarote, John. Part of the Timanfaya Geological Reserve if I recall correctly. I have a map of the island somewhere with its exact location. I'll see if I can dig it out...

Thanks Ben.  I've never been to that part of the world.  Better put it on my list of 'Things To Do Before I'm 96'

Certainly spectacular.

John

“Civilisation exists by geological consent, subject to change without notice.” -  Will Durant

Is this part of the 'moon landscape' of the island?

There are a few places that look more "raw", or newer I guess, with no algae or lichens whatsoever. Again, these are within Timanfaya. Although the sea might be a little out of keeping with the moon!

Well the moon has plenty of nominal mares, and after finding ice, who knows if it could have (had) seas of its own?

Very true. I imagine the Sea of Tranquility must be quite a sight! Though, I was always under the impression that the mares formed as massive outpourings of lava? Now that would have been an impressive sight too!

If there were oceans of water, I wonder what happened to them? Sounds like something out of a Graham Hancock book...

Copied from 'The naked scientist forum', where a similar question was also asked .

How many fiction books have had an emphasis on geology or geologists, and I'm not referring to natural disaster books. It just seems to me geology is one of the most underappreciated and overlooked of the sciences when it comes to fiction. Am I right about that?

I'm a geologist, and since I've written a sci-fi that is "underlain" by geology, I'm wondering how many other fictional works are out there that use geology above and beyond describing a few "rocks" and "outcrops."

Anyone have some choice fictional works they can refer me to?

The below list is from (http://faculty.kutztown.edu/friehauf/friehauf_personal.html)

Jack DuBrul (author of the Philip Mercer action series - a geologist with all the talents of James Bond and MacGyver who saves the world on an annual basis - these books are a lot of fun - they're like action movies in paperback form!)
Susan Cummins Miller (writes the Frankie MacFarlane mystery series - another geologist who solves murder mysteries - Miller really has the feel for field geology)
Sarah Andrews (writes the Emily "Em" Hansen mystery series - a geologist who solves murder mysteries)

Check out these links:
http://shearsensibility.blogspot.com/2008/11/geology-fiction-and-science-fiction.html
http://www.sarahandrews.net/faultline.htm
http://shearsensibility.blogspot.com/2008/11/geology-and-science-fiction-what-do-i.html

http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=21362.0

Thanks very much for your input fenlandier   I think I've got more than a few books to be getting on with now lol

And in response to your other message.  It's great to hear about the geology class and I hope the students really get involved and enjoy it.  And the archaeology side sounds really amazing too.  Hope you all have a great time!

Thanks for the heads-up, fenlandier. I'll go check out that site.

Crystals if these count as geology - The Crystal Singer series by Anne McCaffrey.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystal_Singer

Is that the same Anne McCaffrey that wrote the Dragonriders of Pern stories? I used to love reading those when I was younger, even though I'm a full-blooded male and they were considered too; how should I put this politely... feminine by my friends!

Yes, although I think that dragons and dinosaurs appeal to a wide audience.

Anyone got the Geology Today articles on detectives and geology?

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2451.1994.tb00995.x/abstract