Roadside Geology of Minnesota (Roadside Geology Series) Paperback – September 15, 2009

I like geology and live in Minnesota so this was a great book for me. I have checked out many of the places mentioned in the book as I have been travelling around MN. It is good because it takes a certain road and points out geological features along the road and even calls out the nearest mile marker in many cases. It also explains what things are briefly multiple times, so you don't have to keep referring back to other pages. I also like the way the author writes and that he briefly mentions other things along the way, for example the small town he grew up in and the gas station designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

I have been fortunate to have participated in a Field Trip lead by Dr. Ojakangas, and just like his lectures and field trips, he sprinkles this book with humorous anecdotes, bits of Indian Folklore, obscure facts about Minnesota's history, and of course, a lot of geology. If you enjoyed and learned a lot from Dr. Ojakangas's book "Minnesota's Geology" coauthored with Charles L. Matsch in 1982, you will be delighted with "Roadside Geology of Minnesota".The book's introduction begins with an extensive overview of Minnesota's geology. A discussion of plate tectonics with illustrative diagrams and maps, sets the stage for a review of the Midcontinent Rift System, which is responsible for the volcanic rock found along Lake Superior's shore. Beginning with Archean Time 4.5 billion years ago, down through the Proterozoic, Paleozoic, Mesozoic, Tertiary, through the glacial periods of the Pleistocene, Minnesota has geological evidence of it all (except for what the glaciers may have removed or redistributed.)Following the primer on basic geology, the book is divided into four sections, based upon the regions of the State: Northeastern, Northwestern and Central, Southwestern, and Southeastern. If you know anything at all about the geology of Minnesota, you will not be surprised to find that the section on the Northeast is the longest, and the most interesting, geologically. The Northeastern section is home to the mines of the Mesabi, Biwabik and Cuyuna iron ranges, Lake Superior's scenic Highway 61, amazing road cuts, the Sudan Underground Mine State Park, classic examples of greywacke, agates, and Warba -- the home town of Dick Ojakangas. And if you thought that "Cuyuna" was an Indian word, you will be surprised to find out where it really came from when you read the book.The Road Guides in each section give detailed descriptions of the geology to be found, what caused it, and the mile marker numbers that correspond with interesting stops. From the Pipestone and Sioux Quartzite of southwestern Minnesota to the pillow basalt in Ely, from the karst country of southeastern Minnesota to the ancient Lake Agassiz shorelines in the northwest, and all the glacial lakes, till, drumlins, eskers, kames and kettles in between, Dick Ojakangas includes it all. There are many color photographs of geologic features throughout the book, many of which I recognized from field trips past.This book is great for armchair geologists. If you don't want to follow the road guides and explore further, you should still read the book. After you read it, keep it in your car, for you never know when you might be on the road and come across an interesting geological feature that piques your curiosity. Having a geologist in the car while traveling in Minnesota is something I've often wished for. Traveling with the "Roadside Geology of Minnesota" goes a long way to fill that void.

One of the newest of this very informative series, perhaps the most qulaified person to undertake this project was chosen. Dr. Ojakangas has done a great job of reaching the nonprofessional curious. Although most of the surface geology of this sizable state is dominated by glacial deposits, Dr. Ojakangas often goes beyond the surface to dicsuss the apparent geological history in that region and to provide examples of underlying rock outcrops. Profusely illustrated with mostly color photos, diagrams and maps, it is well organized according to 4 rather distinct geological regions. About half the book is devoted to the most interesting and economically important region: the northeast, which Dr. Ojakangas is also most familiar with. Find out why Sioux Quartzite and St.Peter Sandstone, both composed of nearly pure well-rounded quartz sand grains, have such different erosional resistances and commercial uses.

Great geology book for Minnesota but would have liked more information on Lake Superior agate and gravel.

The first 40 pages give a 3.8 billion year history of the Geology of Minnesota and lay the background for the rest of the book. The rest of the book is divided into 4 geographical sections of Minnesota, common roads and the interesting things to see from a geological standpoint.I like the way the author writes, not too dry but informative. Amateurs may be doing some additional research on the geological terms and definitions used in the book but it is not over your head.This is a must have for the Amateur geologist and even some of the pros. I am a Minnesota Master Naturalist and will be using it for my own enjoyment and for tours and students.

This is a great book about Minnesota’s geology. I did find myself looking up terms that weren’t among my vocabulary and in that sense, I wish there were some more definitions included for absolute beginners. I’m looking forward to visiting more of the state armed with more knowledge to understand what I’m seeing.

Now fully disabled, I gained considerable pleasure from the clear, thorough, well-edited and well-illustrated text. Also delighted at the abundance of relevant photos. Professor Ojakangas made an immensely complex picture of Minnesota digestible, even poetic. I've at least one of every volume in this series, and this one is near or at the top with RG of Colorado (2nd ed.). Thanks to both author and publisher. Now I just have to find a way to travel there for a couple of weeks.

Great book. Color pictures. Thoughtful and engaging writing.