Geology of East Africa

This new volume on the Geology of East Africa provides a concise account of the multi-faceted regional geology and stratigraphy of East Africa, that is Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Much of the data presented, however, is highly relevant to the surrounding countries and regions as well. The contrasting landforms of East Africa, mountains on one side, plateaux, low plains, and rift valleys on the other, with deep fertile soils are reflected in its geology. East Africa's geological features, from Precambrian basement, the paleontology and geology of the sedimentary series overlying it, to the structural evolution and volcanic history of the East Africa Rift System, are discussed in detail as are the metamorphic history e.g. of the Ubendian and Usgaran belts. A separate section presents the record of hominid evolution from the East African Rift System (Olduvai gorge). See the table of contents above for further details about topics covered. Much of the progress since J.W. Gregory's groundbreaking account of the ``Great Rift Valley'' (1896) has not been comprehensively summarized since. The centennial of the publication of Gregory's book shaped the desire to provide both a textbook and at the same time an indispensable reference summarizing new scientific studies carried out since 1896. Professionals and students, intending to delve into the details of the geological history of that region will appreciate the present volume as a stepping-stone, paving the way to additional studies of the numerous references given in this work.