Readings in the History of Geology
A 90 minute tape. The first 55 minutes are from Josiah Spurr's report, A reconnaissance in southwestern Alaska in 1898, from the 20th Annual Report of the U.S. Geological Survey, Part VII, Explorations in Alaska 1898. Spurr Volcano is named for this geologist. The part of the report on the tape is the narrative of a 1400-mile, 6-month expedition up the Sushitna River and down the Kuskokwim. The adventure includes the expedition's experiences with ice dams bearing down on them and lost provisions, as well as interactions with native Indians and missionaries.About 25-30 minutes of the tape is a reading from the first American edition of Hugh Miller's The Old Red Sandstone, published in 1851. It includes advice to aspiring young men as well as Miller's exhuberant description of the rocks of Great Britain.
A 90 minute tape, with a reading of part of Captain Clarence Dutton's report on Hawaiian Volcanoes, published in the USGS 4th Annual Report in 1882. "A Journey to Kilauea" constitutes this reading. It includes Dutton's quotes of descriptions from the Wilkes Expedition of 1841, and Ellis's visit in 1823.
A 90 minute tape, with a reading of part of W.C. Mendenhall's report, A reconnaissance from Resurrection Bay to the Tanana River, Alaska, from the 20th Annual Report of the U.S. Geological Survey, Part VII, Explorations in Alaska 1898. This expedition was fraught with difficulties, but it did not prevent Mendenhall from later becoming Director of the USGS.
A 90 minute tape, with a reading of part of Ferdinand Vandiveer Hayden's account of Geological Explorations in Colorado, including South Park, Park Range, and the Upper Arkansas Valley. From the 1874 "Annual Report of the United States Geological and Geographical Survey of the Territories, embracing Colorado, being a report of progress of the exploration for the year 1873." Slightly more technical than the narratives on Tapes 1, 2, and 3.
A 90 minute tape, with a reading of part of Captain Clarence Dutton's report, The Charleston Earthquake of August 31, 1886, including primarily the portion which is "Accounts of the earthquake by persons who experienced it in Charleston." Vivid descriptions of the quake and its damage. From USGS Ninth Annual Report, 1889.
