The Story Beneath the Scenery: Plate Tectonics and the Landscapes of Our National Parks Paperback – September 8, 2020

The picturesque mountains, valleys and coastlines of our national parks result from processes occurring deep within the Earth. The framework of plate tectonics helps us understand those processes and relate how park landscapes form—the story beneath the scenery. Dr. Robert J. Lillie draws on his experience as a geology professor, park ranger and graphic illustrator to reveal plate tectonics in action. His vivid photos and colorful graphics reveal the basics of Earth science in an easy-to-understand format. Each chapter includes fun demonstrations—food, state quarters, decks of cards—to help readers appreciate park landscapes and the geological processes responsible for their formation. The initial chapter introduces the reader to plate tectonics and its bearing on landforms and geological processes. Subsequent chapters zoom in on park landscapes developed at the three types of plate boundaries and at hotspots. The Story Beneath the Scenery helps readers appreciate how scenic wonders in many parks are similar because they developed in the same type of tectonic setting, and why the landscapes in other parks are so different because they have a different tectonic origin. Read more