Vulcan's Forge and Fingal's Cave

Volcanoes, Basalt, and the Discovery of Geological Time

An Exhibition of Rare Publications from the Collections of the Linda Hall Library

About this Exhibition

Columnar basalt formations at Regla in Mexico. Image source: Humboldt, Alexander Frieherr von. Researches, Concerning the Institutions & Monuments of the Ancient Inhabitants of America. Vol. 1, London, 1814, pl. 8.

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Vulcan’s Forge and Fingal’s Cave: Volcanoes, Basalt, and the Discovery of Geological Time is an exhibition of 66 rare books and journals that was originally presented at the Linda Hall Library from October 2003 through March 2004. The exhibition was conceived and written by William B. Ashworth, Jr. (see credits for complete information on contributors). The online exhibition duplicates the physical exhibit, with the inclusion of additional images. All of the publications displayed come from the collections of the Linda Hall Library. 

We hope you enjoy the tour.