“The Geology of Michigan and the Great Lakes” is written to augment any introductory earth science, environmental geology, geologic, or geographic course offering, and is designed to introduce students in Michigan and the Great Lakes to important regional geologic concepts and events. Although Michigan’s geologic past spans the Precambrian through the Holocene, much of the rock record, Pennsylvanian through Pliocene, is missing. Glacial events during the Pleistocene removed these rocks. However, these same glacial events left behind a rich legacy of surficial deposits, various landscape features, lakes, and rivers. Michigan is one of the most scenic states in the nation, providing numerous recreational opportunities to inhabitants and visitors alike.
Geology of the region has also played an important, and often controlling, role in the pattern of settlement and ongoing economic development of the state. Vital resources such as iron ore, copper, gypsum, salt, oil, and gas have greatly contributed to Michigan’s growth and industrial might. Ample supplies of high-quality water support a vibrant population and strong industrial base throughout the Great Lakes region. These water supplies are now becoming increasingly important in light of modern economic growth and population demands.
This text introduces the student to the geology of Michigan and the Great Lakes region. It begins with the Precambrian basement terrains as they relate to plate tectonic events. It describes Paleozoic clastic and carbonate rocks, restricted basin salts, and Niagaran pinnacle reefs. Quaternary glacial events and the development of today’s modern landscapes are also discussed. Coastal issues and mineral resources are detailed. Students will develop a better appreciation for the importance of geology to the inhabitants of the region today.
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| About the Author |  |
Dr. Robb Gillespie is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geosciences and Research Associate with the Michigan Core Repository for Research and Education (MCRRE) at Western Michigan University. Dr. Gillespie has over 24 years experience in the oil and gas industry having worked for ARCO Oil and Gas in their domestic, international, and research groups, and for COHO Resources redeveloping old oil fields. He has also operated his own oil and gas consulting business since 1992, and co-founded Tres Rios Resources, Inc. (TRR), a small oil and gas company in 1993. Dr. Gillespie’s geological specialty is reservoir delineation, characterization and modeling based upon detailed stratigraphic analysis.
Dr. William B. Harrison, III is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Geosciences and Director of the Michigan Basin Core Research Laboratory that is part of the Michigan Geological Repository for Research and Education (MGRRE) at Western Michigan University. Dr. Harrison has over 34 years experience in research related to sedimentary geology, Michigan stratigraphy and petroleum geology. He is the founder of the Michigan Basin Core Research Laboratory (1982). He taught Undergraduate and Graduate students at Western Michigan University for 30 years. He continues to be active in research and outreach related to Michigan geology.
G. Michael Grammer is Director of the Michigan Geological Repository for Research and Education at Western Michigan University and an Associate Professor in the Department of Geosciences. He received his B.A. from the University of South Florida, M.S. from Southern Methodist University and Ph.D. from the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences. He has been at WMU since 2002 after earlier stops in the oil and gas industry and as a faculty member at the University of Miami. His specialties include carbonate sedimentology and sequence stratigraphy.
| How Do I Order? | |
The series can be bound into any Cengage Learning text to create a more compelling regional edition to help you highlight relevant material.
| Author | CORE ISBN | Preset ISBN | Title |
| Monroe/Wicander/Gilespie | 0495010200 | 0495489425 | The Changing Earth 4e with Geology of Michigan and the Great Lakes |
| Monroe/Wicander/Gilespie | 0495011487 | 0495479330 | Physical Geology: Exploring The Earth 6e with Geology of Michigan and the Great Lakes |
| Wicander/Monroe/Gillespie | 0495012041 | 0495479322 | Historical Geology 5e with Geology of Michigan and the Great Lakes |
| Thompson/Turk/Gillespie | 0495112879 | 0495479314 | Earth Science & the Environment 4e with Geology of Michigan and the Great Lakes |
| Pipkin/Trent/Hazlett/Gillespie | 0495113050 | 0495479306 | Geology and the Environment 5e with Geology of Michigan & the Great Lakes |
| Wicander/Monroe | 0495763411 | Essentials of Physical Geology 5e with Geology of Michigan |
Contact your Cengage Learning representative to learn more
| Tell Us What You Think | |
We’re interested to hear your comments! Contact us to let us know what you think about the Regional Geology Series.
| Interested in Becoming an Author? | |
We are actively seeking authors who are interested in developing content of local and regional interest in the earth sciences. If you are interested in learning more about becoming a contributing author for our earth science regional geology modules, please send us a brief description of the region you’d like to cover.
