Evolution and the Fossil Record

✍ Scribed by John Pojeta Jr., Dale Springer

• Publisher: American Geological Institute
• Year: 2001
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 37
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

This booklet answers the question: How do scientists know that fossils are millions of years old, instead of thousands of years? It unifies geoscience, fossils, and radiometric dating, doing so in a single sitting of 36 attractive pages.Although the science is presented briefly and simply, it is never simplistic or dumbed-down. The authors show that the ideas underlying evolution and the dating of geologic strata are not "over your head."One of its best features is the way it explains the concept of "theory" within the sciences. The authors explicitly challenge the "it's just a theory" retort of the science killers out there. They do this without mentioning Intelligent Design and Creationism by name, therefore refusing to dignify them as proper challenges to evolutionary and geologic theory.This booklet was probably conceived of as an antidote to the rash of anti-science in America, but it responds the problem in a very positive way. It is never combative, but it is very enthusiastic. These authors are anxious to share this knowledge with curious non-scientists.

✦ Table of Contents

Evolution and the Fossil Record......Page 2
Credits......Page 5
Contents......Page 6
Foreword......Page 8
The Fossil Record......Page 12
Change Through Time......Page 13
Darwin's Revolutionary Theory......Page 15
The Nature of Species......Page 19
The Nature of Theory......Page 21
Paleontology, Geology, and Evolution......Page 22
Dating the Fossil Record......Page 25
Examples of Evolution......Page 27
Evolution of vertebrate legs......Page 28
Evolution of mammals......Page 29
Evolution of whales......Page 31
Glossary......Page 33
References Cited......Page 34
Suggested Readings......Page 36