Amicus
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A knowledgeable friend forwarded me, with an enthusiastic recommendation, the following notice of what sounds like a promising new publication by the Maine Geological Survey. At $10, it seems like a worthy investment, and I have already ordered a copy. Perhaps one or more of our resident geologists know something about this?
Maine Geological Survey Publishes New Baxter State Park Geology Book
A new book published by the Maine Geological Survey is unearthing a neglected aspect of Baxter State Park and Katahdin -- its geology and the continent-moving forces that went into creating this unique part of Maine. Through a collaborative effort, “A Guide to the Geology of Baxter State Park and Katahdin” by Douglas W. Rankin and Dabney W. Caldwell completely revises an earlier bulletin on the same subject. The new book, however, includes new information about Baxter State Park based on the latest understanding of plate tectonics and continental glaciation; two full-color maps on bedrock and glacial geology; stunning photos that give a real feel for the park area; interesting sidebars on history, science and geology; and perhaps most enticing, a description of five geology hikes ranging from easyto challenging.
Famous for a number of reasons, such as being a terminus of the Appalachian Trail and for its unique Alpine ecology, Katahdin and the 209,501-acre park often are overlooked from the geological perspective. Yet it is the geology that defines the mountain and the dramatic landscapes of the park. The park basically is a large area of igneous intrusions and volcanic rocks, featuring solidified molten granite pushed up from below in a gigantic eruption to form the mountain, later carved out by glacial activity, in the southern part of the park; and sedimentary rocks, specifically in the north part of the park, that contain numerous fossils, including Maine’s state fossil, Pertica quadrifaria, a primitive plant.
After Caldwell’s death in 2006, MGS decided to revamp the guide and invited Rankin, another internationally noted geologist with the U.S. Geological Survey who mapped much of the volcanic rocks, to participate in the project. MGS staff designed and edited the new book.
The book is $10, plus tax, and can be purchased by calling the Maine Geological Survey at: (207) 287-2801.
Additional information about purchasing the book can be found at: http://www.maine.gov/doc/nrimc/mgs/baxter.htm