In America's Mountains, noted science professor Clark Hubler journeys back to prehistoric times in an attempt to explain the less than-mystical origins of North America's magnificent mountains and to anticipate future changes in their evolution. The book begins with an exploration of orogeny, the process of mountain building, which began millions of years ago when a combination of violent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions shook the Earth.

This ongoing process can be witnessed today in the Alaskan mountain ranges, where ocean beds press up against the continent, causing gradual land shifts and creating immense pressure buildups. When the force becomes too great, the land slips, an earthquake occurs and the ruptured landmass begins a slow rise on its way to becoming a full-fledged mountain range.

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Other chapters investigate the dramatic influence of mountains on plants, animals, people and the general environment. The Olympic Mountains in northwest Washington, for example, experience six times more rainfall than East Coast locations, such as New York and Boston.

Other sections include fascinating descriptions of landmark geologic forms, such as the Rocky Mountains, the Appalachian Mountains, the Ouachita Mountains and the Gulf of Mexico, glaciers in Canada and Alaska, and plains and plateaus of the West. The book also includes detailed information on rocks and fossils, and on mountains that have been eroded out of existence. Finally, Hubler speculates on what may happen in the next million years as oceans continue to grow and continents continue to shudder.