1st Edition
South America’s Natural Wonders Patagonia, Neuquén Basin, Atacama Desert, and Across the Andes
This book guides readers through the most iconic, geologically significant scenery in South America, points out features of interest, and describes how these features came to be. Starting in the glacial landscapes of southern Patagonia, this field trip guidebook examines the foothills of the Andes of western Argentina to understand its foreland deformation. Across the Andes, one observes deformation, volcanism, and mineral deposits associated with an onshore volcanic arc and uplift in the Atacama Desert of Chile. A transect across the Andes from Mendoza to Valparaiso follows in the footsteps of Darwin and, as an added bonus, explores the premier wine country around Mendoza, Argentina, and the Colchagua Valley, Chile.
Features:
• Clearly explains the geology of regions with an emphasis on landscape formation.
• Lavishly illustrated with numerous colorful maps, diagrams, and photos of breathtaking landscapes and their geological features.
• Describes the major geologic features of South America through the device of a geologic tour, making it an accessible read for those without any geologic training, as well as for professionals.
• Written in easy-to-understand language, the author brings his own experience to readers who want to explore and understand geologic sites first-hand.
South America’s Natural Wonders is an inviting text that gives individuals with no background in geology the opportunity to understand key geologic aspects of local landscapes. It also serves as a guide to undergraduate and graduate-level students taking courses in earth science programs, such as geology, geophysics, geochemistry, mining engineering, and petroleum engineering. Teachers of these courses can also use this book to better understand their local geologic environment and geography.
1. Patagonia – Torres Del Paine, Chile, to Fitz Roy Massif, Argentina 2. Neuquén Basin and Andean Foothills – Neuquén to Mendoza, Argentina 3. From the Sea to the Sky – The Atacama Desert from Antofagasta to San Pedro de Atacama, Chile 4. In Darwin’s Footsteps – Mendoza, Argentina, to Valparaiso and the Colchagua Wine Region, Chile
Biography
Gary L. Prost obtained his BSc in geology from Northern Arizona University in 1973 and an MSc (1975) and PhD (1986) in geology at Colorado School of Mines. Over the past 45 years, he has worked for Norandex (mineral exploration), Shell U.S.A. (petroleum exploration worldwide), the U.S. Geological Survey (geologic mapping, coal), the Superior Oil Company (mineral and oil exploration), Amoco Production Company (worldwide oil exploration, remote sensing, and structural geology), Gulf Canada (international new ventures), and ConocoPhillips Canada (Canadian Arctic exploration, gas field development, oil sands development, and reservoir characterization). He spent over 20 years working as a satellite image analyst in the search for hydrocarbons and minerals in more than 30 countries. During this time, he applied structural geology and remote sensing to exploration, development, and environmental projects. The second half of his career was spent working on regional studies, new ventures and frontier exploration, and oil and gas field development. Now retired, his most recent work has been in public outreach, leading field trips and educating the public on topics of geological interest. He is the principal geologist for G.L. Prost GeoConsulting of El Cerrito, California, and has been a registered professional geologist in Wyoming (United States) and in Alberta and the Northwest Territories (Canada). He has published six books, including The United Kingdom’s Natural Wonders (Taylor and Francis, 2023), North America’s Natural Wonders Volumes 1 and 2 (Taylor and Francis, 2020), The Geology Companion: Essentials for Understanding the Earth (Taylor & Francis, 2018), Remote Sensing for Geoscientists: Image Analysis and Integration (third edition, Taylor & Francis, 2013), and the English–Spanish and Spanish–English Glossary of Geoscience Terms (Taylor & Francis, 1997). He is currently on his next volume, Geologic Tours of the World – Europe’s Natural Wonders Volume 1, Western Europe.
