"Imagine seeing the varied landscapes of the earth as they used to look throughout hundreds of millions of years of earth history. Tropical seas lap on the shores of an Arizona beach. Immense sand dunes shift and swirl in Sahara-like deserts in Utah and New Mexico. Ancient rivers spill from a mountain range in Colorado that was a precursor to the modern Rockies. Such flights of geologic fancy are now tangible through the thought-provoking and beautiful paleogeographic maps of Ancient Landscapes of the Colorado Plateau."
Excerpt from 'Ancient Landscapes' by Ron Blakey and Wayne Ranney
Initially published in 2008, the Second Edition of Ancient Landscapes of the Colorado Plateau came out in 2024. I know, I know – I’m reviewing a book that was published a full year ago, as if it was just hot off the press, but as the expression goes, “better late than never.” Then, as now, it's a masterful, artistically stunning and highly productive collaboration between renown geologists Ron Blakey and Wayne Ranney of northern Arizona.
Ron Blakey (right, below), Professor Emeritus of Geology at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, is an internationally recognized authority on the geologic history of the Colorado Plateau. A highly decorated researcher, he has authored more than 40 peer-reviewed papers and four critically acclaimed books.
During his tenure at NAU, Ron studied and published on the stratigraphy and sedimentology of many Late Paleozoic and Mesozoic rock units on the Colorado Plateau with particular interest in eolian and fluvial depositional systems. This nurtured his passion in paleogeography, and for the past 25 years, he has pioneered the creation of remarkably detailed, computer-generated maps of ancient landscapes that span regional to global scales.
In 2004, Blakey founded Colorado Plateau Geosystems, Inc., now Deep Time Maps, Inc., an online resource based on documented research that makes his stunning paleogeographic map reproductions available to students, faculty, libraries, museums, authors and corporations worldwide. His maps are widely regarded as the gold standard in the field and appear on every corner of the internet, in countless textbooks, scientific publications and media outlets across the globe.
Wayne Ranney (left) fell in love with the Colorado Plateau's spectacularly exposed and colorful stratigraphy and its extraordinary variety of landforms. A three-year stint as a backcountry ranger in Grand Canyon National Park during the 1970s inspired him to earn bachelor's and master's degree in geology from NAU, where he studied under Ron in several courses. He later became an adjunct professor of geology at Yavapai College in Prescott and Coconino Community College in Flagstaff.
Over the years, Wayne has earned a reputation as an expert authority, geologic interpreter and river guide for prestigious organizations such as the Smithsonian and National Geographic. He has authored numerous books on the geology of the American Southwest, including the award-winning Carving Grand Canyon, Sedona Through Time and Ancient Landscapes of the Colorado Plateau, co-authored with Ron.
Wayne is a two-time recipient of the “Geosciences in the Media Award” from the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists and the American Association of Petroleum Geologists and has received numerous other national and regional honors for his writing, lecturing and guiding skills. His travels have taken him to all seven continents and over 90 countries. Tireless, passionate and deeply dedicated, Wayne admits he is happiest when he's "outdoors watching the Earth spin", a sentiment that comes as no surprise to the legions of followers, readers and river runners that admire him.
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
Back in 2008, I devoured the ground-breaking, first version of 'Ancient Landscapes' from cover to cover (more than once) and have referenced from it many times in this blog. I've even taken it with me on a number of backcountry excursions with Wayne into the field. My latest edition has already become dog-eared from use, like the First Edition that’s held together with duct tape and binder clips.
Digging a little deeper (couldn't resist the pun), the revised 2024 edition features over 100 explicit, stratigraphic diagrams and high-resolution photographs that are greatly improved over the first edition. And new to this edition, there’s a dedicated atlas section that features over 70 of Blakey’s paleogeographic maps from the Proterozoic to the Pleistocene.
Rendered at the same scale and aerial perspective, each successive map of Blakey's is chronologically superimposed on the previous map for ease of observing the landscape at a given time. Turn the page and akin to time travel, the reader can follow the evolution of the landscape over time. On the facing page, each map is accompanied by Ranney’s eloquently written, easy to understand, trademark descriptions that he is famous for.
Whether you’re an interested reader, armchair geo-enthusiast, amateur geologist or seasoned professional, I highly recommend 'Ancient Landscapes' for anyone interested in the geology and landscape evolution of the Colorado Plateau. It’s guaranteed to become an instant and invaluable addition to your personal earth science library.
You can get the fully revised and completely updated version from the Grand Canyon Conservancy with proceeds going directly to support Grand Canyon National Park here. And while you’re at it, visit Ron Blakey’s Deep Time mapping website here, where you can purchase a DVD and license for use. Wayne’s expedition website is here and Earthly Musings, his photographically rich and educational travel and geology blog is here.
P.S. With a little effort, you can tightly roll up 'Ancient Landscapes' and stuff it in a Christmas stocking like I have done in my backpack on more than one occasion.
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