Our Restless Earth

• Author(s): Luther, Edward T.
• Series: Tennessee Three Star Series
• Imprint: Univ Tennessee Press
• Publication Date: 1977-10-31
• Status: Active
• Available in Paper: Price $14.95 | Buy Now

Memphis is built on land once the bottom of a sea, Nashville rests within a 600-foot-depth basin eroded from a mighty arch, Knoxville and Chattanooga nestle on lands that have migrated—Knoxville’s underpinning traveling all the way from the middle of Sevier County. Our Restless Earth is written for all Tennesseans who are curious about the origins of familiar landscapes. Edward T. Luther describes a state that has attracted specialists from all over the world to study its fascinating geology, a state that in its long east-west axis encompasses nine distinct geologic regions. Appearing here are phenomena such as the New Madrid earthquake that formed Reelfoot Lake, the state’s almost forgotten gold rush, 60-foot reptiles that once inhabited parts of McNairy County, and the contrary Tennessee River that could not decide which way to flow. The origins of the state’s oil, coal, iron, marble, and famous cave country—these too are a part of Our Restless Earth.

Edward T. Luther (1928–2018) was a native Tennessean and State Geologist. He received a master’s degree in geology and chemistry from Vanderbilt University in 1951, and came to know his home state intimately—first as a team member of the Tennessee Geological Survey and then as supervisor of the Survey’s research program. He was the author or co-author of more than 40 professional publications.