Our Restless Earth: The Geologic Regions of Tennessee - Paperback

by Edward T. Luther (Author)

Memphis is built on land once the bottom of a sea, Nashville rests within a 600-foot-depth basin eroded from a mighty arch, and Knoxville and Chattanooga nestle on lands that have migrates--Knoxville's underpinning traveling all the way from the middle of Sevier County. Our Restless Earth is written for all Tennesseans who are curious about the origins of familiar landscapes. Edward T. Luther describes a state that has attracted specialists from all over the world to study its fascinating geology, a state that in its long east-west axis encompasses nine distinct geologic regions. Appearing here are phenomena such as the New Madrid earthquake that formed Reelfoot lake, the state's almost forgotten gold rush, sixty-foot reptiles that once inhabited parts of McNairy County, and the contrary Tennessee River that could not decide which way to flow. The origins of the state's oil, coal, iron, marble, and famous cave country--these too are a part of Our Restless Earth.

Author Biography

Edward T. Luther was a native Tennessean whose professional career as a geologist and personal interest in writing pointed him toward the preparation of this book. After receiving his advanced degree in geology from Vanderbilt University in 1951, he came to know the Volunteer State intimately--first as a team member of the Tennessee Geological Survey and later as supervisor of the Survey's research program and as State Geologist of Tennessee. He was also an avid reader of fiction and enjoyed applying writing skills to his technical knowledge in order to make the fascinating science of the earth available to a wider audience.