Colleen Dawson
reviews
An introduction to South Africa’s Geological and Mining Heritage
by M J Viljoen and W U Reimold (Mintek in association with the Geological Society of South Africa, R110)
An introduction to South Africa’s Geological and Mining Heritage describes ‘the close relationship that exists between South Africa’s geographic regions, places of great scenic beauty, and the underlying geology of the country”. As we learn more about our environment, we understand how the geology plays a large part in determining what living things make up other parts of the environment.
This book provides background information for teachers who may be unfamiliar with the basics of the Earth sciences. This may include teachers who want to develop a basic understanding of where soils come from, and the formation of land forms. For those who are familiar with the geology of South Africa, this will be an excellent reference source. The book includes the formation of the present continents from the ‘super continent” Gondwana, geological time periods, and methods of dating rocks and fossils. Both NS and HSS teachers will find useful material in this book.
There are descriptions of each geological region of the country and the features that make the regions unique, such as volcanic activity in the Drakensberg region, or the glaciers and inland seas that formed the Karoo region.
Important fossil finds in each region are described. As we begin to understand the geological history, we can understand why fossils developed more frequently in particular areas than in others. This helps when we are developing an understanding of the changes in kinds and structures of living things over geological time. Cave deposits like those at Sterkfontein which have led to fossil formation are described and illustrated.
Other structures such as meteorite impact structures, such as Tswaing crater near Pretoria and the Morokweng structure in North West Province, are also described. These descriptions integrate the formation of the Earth as we know it with the action of meteorites from beyond the Earth.
South Africa’s geology is inextricably linked with its mining history, which is the basis for much of the economic and environmental history of the country. EMS teachers will find useful material for their teaching, which also forms cross-curricular links with NS and HSS. This includes maps of major mineral deposits around the country, a description of South Africa’s mining industry, and a section on the diamond fields around the country.
Contact the Council for Geoscience for more information and to use their library and information centre.
Private Bag X112, Pretoria 0001,
tel: (012) 841-1911,
fax: (012) 841-1221, www.geoscience.org.za,
e-mail: [email protected]