Exploring the many facets of Connecticut’s unique geology
In a series of entertaining essays, geoscientist Jelle Zeilinga de Boer describes how early settlers discovered and exploited Connecticut’s natural resources. Their successes as well as failures form the very basis of the state’s history: Chatham’s gold played a role in the acquisition of its Charter, and Middletown’s lead helped the colony gain its freedom during the Revolution. Fertile soils in the Central Valley fueled the state’s development into an agricultural power house, and iron ores discovered in the western highlands helped trigger its manufacturing eminence. The Statue of Liberty, a quintessential symbol of America, rests on Connecticut’s Stony Creek granite. Geology not only shaped the state’s physical landscape, but also provided an economic base and played a cultural role by inspiring folklore, paintings, and poems. Illuminated by 50 illustrations and 12 color plates, Stories in Stone describes the marvel of Connecticut’s geologic diversity and also recounts the impact of past climates, earthquakes, and meteorites on the lives of the people who made Connecticut their home.
“Stories in Stone digs deep and hits gold. Zeilinga de Boer excavates a quarry of geologic delight about the Connecticut landscape and its human history. The stories he unearths give life to Connecticut’s hills, valleys, and inscrutable depths.”—Michael Bell, author of The Face of Connecticut: People, Geology, and the Land
“Dr. Zeilinga de Boer offers a renaissance perspective on the interrelationships between Connecticut geology, climate, and historical events. His writing evokes a new appreciation of our state’s landscape and earth resources with colorful storytelling only a scientist and educator can craft.”—Margaret Thomas, acting state geologist
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JELLE ZEILINGA de BOER is the Harold T. Stearns professor of Earth Science emeritus at Wesleyan University and author, with D.T. Sanders, of Volcanoes in Human History (2002) and Earthquakes in Human History (2005).
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