Course Topics
Course Resources for Earth Sciences 110 - History of Life on Earth
Some selected web links and library resources to supplement the course. More information can be found on the
Geology Library Home page under
Subject Links and in the
Library online catalog.
This is a general resource useful in many ways for the course.
Geological Time
Links
What is Geologic Time?
A website from the US Geological Survey explaining geologic time. Has links to a glossary of terms.
Understanding Geologic Time (U. of California/Berkley Museum of Paleontology)
Understanding Geologic Time is an informational tour in which students gain a basic understanding of geologic time, the evidence for events in Earth's history, relative and absolute dating techniques, and the significance of the Geologic Time Scale.
Library Resources
Growth of a prehistoric time scale: based on organic evolution
Berry, W. B. N., 1987, Growth of a prehistoric time scale: based on organic evolution, Blackwell Scientific Publications, rev. ed., 202 p.
Basin and Range
McPhee, J., 1981, Basin and Range, Farrar, Straus, Giroux, 215 p.
The Discovery of time
Toulmin, S., and Goodfield, J., 1965, The Discovery of time, New York, Harper & Row, 280 p.
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Fossils and Fossilization
Links
Paleontology Portal
This site is a resource for anyone interested in paleontology, from the professional in the lab to the interested amateur scouting for fossils to the student in any classroom. This site has gathered many different resources into this single entry "portal" to paleontological information on the Internet. There is a Fossil Gallery with photos of fossils. The Exploring Time and Space section has an interactive map that allows you to view information by state and time period.
This site was produced by the University of California Museum of Paleontology, the Paleontological Society, the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, and the United States Geological Survey.
Ohio History Central - Fossils
The "Fossils" section of this online encyclopedia includes information about thirteen different types of Ohio's fossils from amphibians to stromatoporoids and everything in between.
Cincinnati Area Fossils
Photo Gallery by The Dry Dredgers is an association of amateur geologists. Good photos of Ohio fossils.
Library Resources
Fossils of Ohio
Feldmann, R. M., and Hackathorn, M., eds., 1996, Fossils of Ohio, Ohio Division of Geological Survey, Bulletin no. 70, 577 p.
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Plate Tectonics
Links
What on Earth is Plate Tectonics?
From the U.S. Geological Survey, a basic introduction to plate tectonics.
Plate Tectonics
This site has a description of the mechanisms driving plate tectonics and animated files demonstrating the positions of the continents during various geologic time periods. There is also a history of plate tectonics theories, including information about Alfred Wegener and his theory of continental drift. From the University of California (Berkeley) Museum of Paleontology.
Find out about Continental Drift (NASA)
Library Resources
The Living planet
The Living planet [video recording] / produced by BBC and Time-Life Films Publish Info New York, NY: Ambrose Video, c2001 Contents: v. 1-2. The building of the earth; The frozen world -- v. 3-4. The northern forests; Jungle -- v. 5-6. Seas of grass; The baking deserts -- v. 7-9. The community of the skies; Sweet fresh water; The margins of the land -- v. 10-12. Worlds apart; Oceans; New worlds Summary Examines how plants and animals adapt to their physical surroundings in a variety of environments
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Evolution
Links
Understanding Evolution
University of California Museum of Paleontology. A one-stop source for information on Evolution
Kenneth E. Behring Family Hall of Mammals
Companion website for this permanent museum exhibition of mammal specimens and fossils that "takes visitors around the world to see how mammals have adapted to different habitats, from the sweltering desert to the bone-chilling north." Interactive exhibits explore the characteristics of mammals, evolution of mammals, and mammal habitats around the world. Also includes behind-the-scenes material (including a taxidermy demonstration), classroom materials, and related resources. From the Smithsonian Institution.
Library Resources
The origin of life
Bernal, J. D., 1967, The origin of life, World Pub., 345 p.
Evolution
Evolution [video recording] / a co-production of the WGBH/NOVA Science Unit and Clear Blue Sky Productions, 4 DVDs
Contents: [v. 1.] Darwin's dangerous idea / written and directed by David Espar & Susan K. Lewis (ca. 120 min.) -- [v. 2.] Great transformations / written by Joel Olicker & Chris Schmidt (ca. 60 min.); Extinction! / written, produced and directed by Kate Churchill & Richard Hutton (ca. 60 min.) -- [v. 3.] The evolutionary arms race / written and directed by Gail Willumsen (ca. 60 min.); Why sex? / written, produced and directed by Noel Buckner & Robert Whittlesey (ca. 60 min.) -- [v. 4.] The mind's big bang / written by John Heminway (ca. 60 min.); What about God? / telescript by Bill Jersey, Mark Page; story by Mark Page (ca. 60 min.)
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Precambrian - Cambrian fossils
Links
Burgess Shale Fossils
University of Calgary, Dept. of Geology, Andrew MacRae
Library Resources
The fossils of the Burgess Shale
Briggs, D. E. G, et al., 1994, The fossils of the Burgess Shale, Smithsonian Institution Press, 238 p.
The weird & wonderful fossils of the Burgess Shale
The weird & wonderful fossils of the Burgess Shale [video recording] / Eric Langshaw Publish Info [----?, Ontario?]: Canadian Wilderness Videos, 1990
The crucible of creation: the Burgess Shale and the rise of animals
Conway, M. S., 1998, The crucible of creation: the Burgess Shale and the rise of animals, Oxford University Press, 242 p
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Marine Invertebrate Fossils
Links
Paleontology Portal
This site is a resource for anyone interested in paleontology, from the professional in the lab to the interested amateur scouting for fossils to the student in any classroom. This site has gathered many different resources into this single entry "portal" to paleontological information on the Internet. There is a Fossil Gallery with photos of fossils. The Exploring Time and Space section has an interactive map that allows you to view information by state and time period.
This site was produced by the University of California Museum of Paleontology, the Paleontological Society, the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, and the United States Geological Survey.
Library Resources
Encyclopedia of paleontology
Singer, R., 1999, Encyclopedia of paleontology, Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers, 2 vol.
Encyclopedia of prehistory
Lambert, D., 2002, Encyclopedia of prehistory, Facts on File, 400 p. Section 1: The evolving earth; section 2: Evolving life; section 3:Dinosaurs...
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Fossil Plants
Links
Joffre Bridge Fossil Exhibition
The University of Alberta's Department of Museums and Collections Services: Joffre Bridge Fossil Exhibition. This interactive exhibit explores the rich fossil record from Joffre Bridge, one of the most significant fossil-collecting areas in south-central Alberta. Joffre Bridge Fossil Exhibition allows visitors to examine the variety of material collected from the site, specifically fossilized plants.
University of California Museum of Paleontology, History of Life Through Time - online exhibit.
This exhibit provides a survey of that biodiversity through time, focusing on major lineages of organisms. Many of these lineages have gone extinct or currently exist at a much lower diversity than in the past, so there may be large exhibits on groups of organisms that are unfamiliar to you. They are featured because they play an important role in the history of life on Earth.
Library Resources
The emerald planet: how plants changed Earth's history
Beerling, D. J., 2007, The emerald planet: how plants changed Earth's history, Oxford Univ. Press, 288 p.
Plants invade the land: evolutionary and environmental perspectives
Gensel, P. G., and Edwards, D., eds., 2001, Plants invade the land: evolutionary and environmental perspectives, Columbia Univ. Press, 304 p.
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Dinosaurs
Links
Chinese Dinosaurs
Australian Museum Online exhibit. Includes section on the feathered dinosaurs of China.
Dinosaur and Paleontology Dictionary
from Enchanted Learning, includes descriptions, more information, pictures, and links.
Library Resources
The complete guide to prehistoric life
Haines, T., and Chambers, P., 2006, The complete guide to prehistoric life, Firefly Books, 216 p.
Prehistoric journey: a history of life on Earth
Johnson, K.R., and Stucky, R. K., 2006, Prehistoric journey: a history of life on Earth, Fulcrum Pub.. 144 p.
Dawn of the dinosaurs: life in the Triassic
Fraser, N., 2006, Dawn of the dinosaurs: life in the Triassic, Indiana Univ. Press, 307 p.
Our changing earth
Our changing earth [video recording] / Discovery Channel School Publish Info Silver Spring, MD : Discovery Communications, 2003 Contents: Great quakes (28:15) -- The end of the dinosaurs (6:19) -- Earth's changing landscape (6:45) -- Tsunami (5:53)
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Mammals
Links
Kenneth E. Behring Family Hall of Mammals
Companion website for this permanent museum exhibition of mammal specimens and fossils that "takes visitors around the world to see how mammals have adapted to different habitats, from the sweltering desert to the bone-chilling north." Interactive exhibits explore the characteristics of mammals, evolution of mammals, and mammal habitats around the world. Also includes behind-the-scenes material (including a taxidermy demonstration), classroom materials, and related resources. From the Smithsonian Institution.
Animal Diversity Web
University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, Animal Diversity Web, Class Mammalia
Australian Museum online
Fossils mammals
Library Resources
The encyclopedia of mammals
The encyclopedia of mammals [electronic resource] / edited by David W. Macdonald Publish Info Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006 OSU access only
On evolution and fossil mammals
Kurten, Bjorn, 1988, On evolution and fossil mammals, Columbia Univ. Press, 301 p.
Beasts of Eden: walking whales, dawn horses, and other enigmas of mammal evolution
Wallace, D. R., 2004, Beasts of Eden: walking whales, dawn horses, and other enigmas of mammal evolution, Univ. of California Press, 340 p.
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Evolution of Man
Links
Hooper Virtual Natural History Museum
Hooper Virtual Natural History Museum, Department of Earth Sciences, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Archaeology and Anthropology exhibits
BBC - Science & Nature - the evolution of man
Essays, and videos related to the BBC series about human evolution.
Library Resources
Humankind emerging
Campbell, B. G, Loy, J. D., and Cruz-Uribe, K., 2006, Humankind emerging, Allyn and Bacon, 538p.
Human origins 101
Dunsworth, H. M., 2007, Human origins 101, Greenwood Press, 192 p.
Extinction: evolution and the end of man
Boulter, M., 2002, Extinction: evolution and the end of man, Columbia Univ. Press, 210 p.
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Pleistocene
Links
Ice Age Paleoecology
Ice Age Paleoecology, home page of Scott A. Elias, research and author, who’s work focuses on the use of insect fossils to reconstruct environments during the Quaternary Period, the interval spanning the last 2 million years during which there were multiple glaciations or ice ages.
La Brea Tar Pits
George C. Page Museum of the La Brea Tar Pits
The Pleistocene
The Pleistocene, a section of Paleos: The trace of life on earth
Library Resources
Twilight of the mammoths: ice age extinctions and the rewilding of America
Greene, H. W., 2005, Twilight of the mammoths: ice age extinctions and the rewilding of America, Univ. of California Press, 250 p.
Snook, J., 2008, Ice age extinction: cause and human consequences
Snook, J., 2008, Ice age extinction: cause and human consequences, Algora Pub., 191 p.,
Under a green sky: global warming, the mass extinctions of the past, and what they mean for our future
Ward, P. D., 2007, Under a green sky: global warming, the mass extinctions of the past, and what they mean for our future, Smithsonian Books, 242 p.
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Compiled by Mary W. Scott, Geology Librarian, Orton Memorial Library of Geology
Designed by Matthew R. H. Dugan, Student Library Assistant
Last updated: March 24, 2008