Field Guide to Rocks & Minerals of Southern Africa by Bruce Cairncross

ISBN: 9781868729852

Penguin Random House South Africa ,  05 Nov 2011

Paperback | 292 pages

Description:

Southern Africa boasts many spectacular examples of rocks and minerals; volcanic lava make up the dramatic Drakensberg mountain range, granite mountains form stunning scenery in Namibia and Zimbabwe, and some of the most ancient rocks on Earth - over 3000 million years old - are to be found on the subcontinent. The region is home to many important and interesting minerals, as well as a wide array of beautiful gemstones - diamonds from South Africa, emeralds from Zimbabwe and tourmalines from Namibia. "Field Guide to Rocks and Minerals of Southern Africa" is the first definitive field guide to document the common, rare and unusual rocks and minerals of South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Swaziland and southern Mozambique. Supported by more than 500 full-color photographs, the text describes in detail a wide range of the region's common and attractive rocks and minerals. Authoritative information is presented in a user-friendly manner and is enlivened by box and panel features. It will appeal to mineral collectors, geologists, gemologists, students, and anyone with an interest in the natural environment.