A Bur Oak Original Series

During its 150 years of statehood, Iowa has ranked at or near the top of states in the production of specific mineral resources; its long record of mining lead, coal, gypsum, and limestone contains a rich history. In addition, Iowa's minerals are valuable to collectors, who prize their natural charm. In his carefully written text, geologist Paul Garvin has combined scientific facts about minerals with an appreciation of their history and beauty to produce a book that will appeal to scholars, collectors, and the general public.

Garvin begins with a brief treatment of the origins of Iowa's minerals, moving from the oldest -- with ages well in excess of a billion years -- to those most recently formed. He describes the state's major mineral occurrences, providing detailed information for both specialists and amateurs, including how to obtain access to collecting sites. A history of Iowa's mineral industries complements Garvin's more technical information; this history is supplemented with stories about the Cardiff Giant (who now has his own web page), Ottumwa's Coal Palace, and the meteor falls of the nineteenth century. Sixteen striking color photos showcase the finest of Iowa mineral specimens.

The minerals that occur most abundantly in Iowa make up the sandstone, shale, limestone, and dolostone bedrock strata and the soils and alluvium that blanket them. Readers of Iowa's Minerals will come away with a greater awareness and appreciation of Iowa's generous mineral endowment.

Iowa's Minerals

by Paul Garvin