Geological Journeys

Book excerpt: Geological Journeys: a traveller’s guide to South Africa’s rocks and landforms is an essential companion for car journeys. How often have we wondered about the jaunty tilt of a mountain ahead, the unusual patterns of a road cutting, the colour and texture of the roadside soil, or the purpose of a distant minehead? This handy volume offers answers and explanations about features along all the major routes across South Africa, and some of the lesser, but geologically interesting, routes too. Also included are the three main metropolitan areas – Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban – so that city residents can understand the geological features surrounding them. In simple language, and using familiar landmarks to pinpoint sites and subtle phenomena, the authors bring to light our rich geological heritage, its likely roots and often tumultuous history. Along the way, they also discuss the historical background, personalities and stories that bring the landscape to life. The book includes: beautiful photographs that support and illuminate the text maps of all the routes, showing numbered geosites that link with the text diagrams showing the geological make-up of our subcontinent illustrations that reveal major geological processes a glossary of geological terms a comprehensive bibliography Whether you want to know more about your planned route, or use the book itself to direct your travels, this is an indispensable guide.