To promote a wider interest in the science of geology through organised lectures, field excursions and social activities.
To provide a link between the amateur, the student, the teacher and the professional geologist.
To foster interest in geological sites within the area with a view to their study and wise conservation.
To establish and maintain good relations with organisations that have common interests.

The Atlas of the Prehistoric World

by
Douglas Palmer

Marshall Editions

ISBN: 184028255X

At first sight “The Atlas of the Prehistoric World” by Douglas Palmer seems to be a slight work, all gloss and not much content. But it does not take long to find that a great deal of care has been taken with the content.

The book is made up of three sections. The first is what I used to know as a palinspastic atlas - maps of the Earth as it appeared in the past. These cover the period from Late Pre-Cambrian to the Quaternary. Inevitably the older the period the more sketchy and blobby the maps appear but they do give a picture of the whole world, not just our small bit of it. Watching the way bits of Britain chug over the Earth's surface gives an interesting perspective to Nationalism.

The second part gives a history of the earth, concentrating on life on earth but also covering things like the opening of the Atlantic and the building of the Himalayas. It starts at the earth's formation and comes right up to today. There are lots of pictures of beautiful fossils, colourful diagrams, pictures and maps. There is much referring back to the first section reinforcing the picture of the dynamic earth.

The last part is printed on less glossy paper and is a little bit of everything. A history of geology, dating techniques, geological controversies, rock types, plate tectonics, geological disasters, fossil classification and formation - if its geological there is something about it in here.

This book would be a good gift to someone starting out in geology. It will enthuse and inform. Even those, wise in the ways of the world, who have been members of WEGA since before the floods will find much of interest in a book which looks fit for the coffee table but should be in the study.