Ancient Landscapes of the Grand Canyon Region / The Geology of Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, Petrified Forest & Painted Desert

A regional geological survey traces the rock record of the Colorado Plateau from the Archean through the Cenozoic, explaining how sedimentation, folding, metamorphism, and igneous activity created the ancient crystalline inner gorge. It details successive sedimentary sequences—Cambrian through Permian—highlighting formations such as Tonto, Redwall, Supai, Hermit, Coconino, Toroweap, and Kaibab and their fossil, sedimentary and environmental indicators. Later chapters describe Mesozoic red beds, petrified wood and dinosaur tracks of the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest, and Cenozoic events including volcanism, uplift, glaciation, and the progressive erosion that carved the canyon and formed Zion and Bryce features. Illustrations, diagrams, and field sketches accompany discussions of ancient climates, life, crustal movements, and the arrival of humans in the region.