Rocks, Fossils and Formations

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Discoveries Through Time

By: Thomas RH Woolrych Illustrated by: Anna Madeleine Raupach

eBook - February 2023 - eRetailers

Go on a 4.6 billion year time travel adventure and explore the story of rocks, minerals and fossils.

Have you ever wondered about those rocks under your feet? How old they might be? How they got their colour and texture? Could they contain some unknown mineral or fossil treasure? + Full description

Rocks, Fossils and Formations: Discoveries Through Time is an introduction to geoscience, which uses clues in rocks and the landscape to tell the story of the Earth. It's a story so old and so fascinating that it's almost hard to believe – except that the evidence can be seen all around us!

Come on a 4.6-billion-year-long time travel adventure to explore rocks, minerals and fossils, meet ancient plants and animals, and discover how the continent of Australia was created!

Reading level varies from child to child, but we recommend this book for ages 9 to 14.

- Short description

Reviews

"This beautifully presented book takes readers on a 4.6 billion year time travel adventure to explore the rocks, minerals, fossils and other life of planet earth, with particular focus on Australia. [...] a book like this one is a hands-down winner."
Kids Book Review, 20 February 2023

"With its accessible text,photographs and diagrams, it is one that will appeal to any reader who has an interest in this subject, perhaps a stepping stone for all those who are deeply inspired by the reign of the dinosaurs and want to know so much more than just the habits and habitats of those creatures and delve into even bigger secrets. Who knows what new careers might be launched"
Barbra Braxton, The Bottom Shelf, 06 February 2023

"For those older children, and indeed adults who are interested in fossils, rocks, minerals and earth’s formation, this is a well-researched and easily accessible publication that provides an opportunity to gain a greater understanding of this fascinating topic."
Kathryn Beilby, ReadPlus, 01 February 2023

"Thomas Woolrych has written a concise, deeply informative scientific text that any interested reader will savour, and Anna Madeleine Raupach has provided the illustrations only a scientist and an artist could produce. This is a book to have with you on that tour of Australia, which you will want to take as soon as you’ve dipped into its wonders. Highly Recommended"
Kevin Brophy, ReadingTime, 23 March 2023

"There is so much more information contained in the book supported by an excellent glossary and index. It will assist students understand the Earth and the evolution of life through geological time: concepts such as the age of the Earth, the rock cycle, volcanoes, plate tectonics, the formation of precious metals and gems"
Peter Hope, LabTalk 67(1), June 2023

Details

Paperback | February 2023 | $ 29.99
ISBN: 9781486310968 | 120 pages | 250 x 215 mm
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Colour illustrations

ePDF | February 2023
ISBN: 9781486310975
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Available from eRetailers

ePUB | February 2023
ISBN: 9781486310982
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Available from eRetailers

Features

Explores the geological history of the Earth with a focus on Australian rocks and fossils.
Explains key geological concepts using examples from the Australian landscape.
Illustrates the amazing creatures that were alive (based on fossil evidence) at various eras in history.
Helps children understand the Earth and the evolution of life through geological time: concepts such as the age of the Earth, the rock cycle, volcanoes, plate tectonics, the formation of precious metals and gems.

Foreword
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Chapter 1: The Hadean Eon (4600–4000 million years ago)
Chapter 2: The Archean Eon (4000–2500 million years ago)
Chapter 3: The Proterozoic Eon (2500–541 million years ago)
Chapter 4: The Paleozoic Era (541–252 million years ago)
Chapter 5: The Mesozoic Era (252–66 million years ago)
Chapter 6: The Cenozoic Era (66 million years ago – Present day)
Epilogue: Geoscience of the future
Glossary
Index

Authors

Thomas R. H. Woolrych is a science communicator and exploration geoscientist with a passion for discovering the secrets of the Earth. He enjoys sharing this passion and looking for minerals.

Anna Madeleine Raupach is a multidisciplinary artist based on Ngunnawal, Ngambri country, Canberra. Her practice spans drawing, moving image, installation and digital media to explore expressive interpretations of scientific concepts.

For Teachers

We have created these Teacher Notes as a free PDF download to support the use of this book in the classroom.

Teacher Notes (826.49 KB)