Stories in Stone: How Geology Influenced Connecticut History and Culture (Garnet Books)

In a series of entertaining essays, geoscientist Jelle Zeilinga de Boer describes how early settlers discovered and exploited Connecticut's natural resources. Their successes as well as failures form the very basis of the state's history: Chatham's gold played a role in the acquisition of its Charter, and Middletown's lead helped the colony gain its freedom during the Revolution. Fertile soils in the Central Valley fueled the state's development into an agricultural power house, and iron ores discovered in the western highlands helped trigger its manufacturing eminence. The Statue of Liberty, a quintessential symbol of America, rests on Connecticut's Stony Creek granite. Geology not only shaped the state's physical landscape, but also provided an economic base and played a cultural role by inspiring folklore, paintings, and poems. Illuminated by 50 illustrations and 12 color plates, Stories in Stone describes the marvel of Connecticut's geologic diversity and also recounts the impact of past climates, earthquakes, and meteorites on the lives of the people who made Connecticut their home.

Exploring the many facets of Connecticut's unique geology In a series of entertaining essays, geoscientist Jelle Zeilinga de Boer describes how early settlers discovered and exploited Connecticut's natural resources. Their successes as well as failures form the very basis of the state's Chatham's gold played a role in the acquisition of its Charter, and Middletown's lead helped the colony gain its freedom during the Revolution. Fertile soils in the Central Valley fueled the state's development into an agricultural power house, and iron ores discovered in the western highlands helped trigger its manufacturing eminence. The Statue of Liberty, a quintessential symbol of America, rests on Connecticut's Stony Creek granite. Geology not only shaped the state's physical landscape, but also provided an economic base and played a cultural role by inspiring folklore, paintings, and poems. Illuminated by 50 illustrations and 12 color plates, Stories in Stone describes the marvel of Connecticut's geologic diversity and also recounts the impact of past climates, earthquakes, and meteorites on the lives of the people who made Connecticut their home. Contents 8 Preface 10 Acknowledgments 12 Introduction 16 1. In the Beginning: Continental Fusion and Breakup 23 2. Weather and Climate: Hurricanes and Ice Ages 42 3. Connecticut’s Geologic Treasures: Gems and Ores 71 Sidebar: Gems in Quarry Tailings 89 Sidebar: Other Historic Quarries and Mines in Connecticut 97 4. Settlers and Soils in the Central Valley: The Legacy of Glacial Lake Hitchcock 98 5. The Metacomet Ridge: The Scientific, Political, and Cultural Impact of an Old Lava Flow 120 Sidebar:The Curse of the Black Dog 144 6. The Moodus Noises: The Science and Lore of Connecticut Earthquakes 147 Sidebar: Moodus Tremors and Sonic Booms 171 7. Visitors from Space: The Weston and Wethersfield Meteorites 172 Afterword: Our Lithic Inheritance 186 Bibliography 190 Index 212 A 212 B 212 C 213 D 214 E 214 F 215 G 215 H 215 I 216 J 216 K 216 L 216 M 216 N 217 O 218 P 218 Q 219 R 219 S 219 T 220 U 221 V 221 W 221 Y 221 This book describes how early settlers discovered and exploited Connecticut's natural resources. Their successes as well as failures form the very basis of the state's history : Chatham's gold played a role in the acquisition of its Charter, and Middletown's lead helped the colony gain its freedom during the Revolution. Fertile soils in the Central Valley fueled the state's development into an agricultural power house, and iron ores discovered in the western highlands helped trigger its manufacturing eminence. Geology not only shaped the state's physical landscape, but also provided an economic base and played a cultural role by inspiring folklore, paintings, and poems. It also describes impact of past climates, earthquakes, and meteorites on the people of that state Introduction -- 1. In The Beginning: Continental Fusion And Breakup -- 2. Weather And Climate: Hurricanes And Ice Ages -- 3. Connecticut's Geological Treasures: Gems And Ores -- 4. Settlers And Soils In The Central Valley: The Legacy Of Glacial Lake Hitchcock -- 5. The Metacomet Ridge: The Scienfic, Political, And Cultural Impact Of An Old Lava Flow -- 6. The Moodus Noises: The Science And Lore Of Connecticut Earthquakes -- 7. Visitors From Space: The Weston And Wethersfield Meteorites -- Afterword: Out Lithic Inheritance. Jelle Zeilinga De Boer. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.