Press Release
February 17, 2008

New Book of the Local Geology Published

If you ever walked through the woods or around the neighborhood, picked up an interesting looking rock and wondered how it got there, you may want to purchase a copy of a newly released book “TimeWalk – A Journey through Time in Adams, Lancaster and York Counties, Pennsylvania.” Authored by Jeri Jones of Jones Geological Services in Spring Grove with illustrations by Tenna Byerts of Dover, the book is written for the novice reader. The 120-page book starts out with introducing some geologic principles that are needed throughout the book. Then, the reader starts to be introduced to the local landscapes and geology. Throughout the geologic history chapters, the reader will learn much about our landscape and the numerous events that took place here over the past one billion years. Rocks in the three-county area represent two continental collisions and breakups; an ocean and beach environment; a chain of volcanic islands off of the coast of ancient North America and severe erosion and weathering including the Ice Age. Interestingly, at one time, southeastern Pennsylvania just about became a part of northwestern Africa.

A chapter is dedicated to the many fossils found in the area including dinosaur foot prints, trilobites, petrified wood and shells. Because the area also contains valuable mineral resources, a section is presented describing key quarries, mines and mineral specimens. Because geology affects everyone, a chapter on geologic hazards in our area is included. Topics included in this chapter are earthquakes, radon, sinkholes and caves and groundwater.

What makes Timewalk interesting, however, is the listing of “Where Can I See These Rocks” sites at the end of each chapter. For example, if one wants to go out and touch rocks that once formed as volcanoes may travel to Carbaugh Reservoir in Adams County; Accomac, York County or along Fishing Creek in Lancaster County. All locations described include latitude and longitude coordinates and a photograph.

Author Jeri Jones states, “Although reading the story of our ancient history is interesting, it is a more-rewarding experience to go out and touch these rocks. Any rock you pick up will have a story to tell you about its early life.”

For those readers requesting additional information, a comprehensive list of references is found at the end of the book.

The book sells for $19.95 plus $5.00 shipping. This is also a great resource for secondary education or college students. A discounted rate for educational institutions is available. The book can be obtain by writing to Jones Geological Services, 2223 Stoverstown Road, Spring Grove, PA 17362 or email at JLJ276@aol.com. The book will be available through local book retailers in the near future.

Chapters included in the book are as follows:

Chapter 1. Let’s Get down to Earth
Chapter 2. The First Super Continent
Chapter 3. Anyone For the Beach?
Chapter 4. Taconic Orogeny – The First Collision – Get the Hard Hats!
Chapter 5. The Building of Pangaea – Not Another Wreck?
Chapter 6. A Time to Rest in the Swamp
Chapter 7. The Cenozoic Era – Do You Have that worn Down Feeling?
Chapter 8. Fossils Forever
Chapter 9. Minerals and Ores – What would We Do Without Them?
Chapter 10. Those Who Left Footprints Here
Chapter 11. Everyone Can Be Aware of our Surroundings
References
Photographs of “Where Can I See Some Examples” Sites