Book Club: Monday, May 3, 2027, 2-4pm. Fellows and External Fellows – Zoom only event

May 3, 2027,  2-4 pm – Fellows and External Fellows

Strata: Stories from Deep Time by Laura Poppick (2025)

Discussion Leader: William Logan

Why is Earth not like other bodies in our solar system? Or is it? Has it always been this way? What has influenced its evolution from a fiery sphere to its present state? Laura Poppick, a science writer with a background in geology, outlines how the stratigraphic study of rocks and rock layers can provide evidence for or against various theories of Earth’s historical evolution. The author divides the past into eras of air, ice, mud and heat and presents the fossil and geological evidence supporting the remarkable characteristics of each and how one transformed into the next. She travels to a number of sites around the world which are rich in geological findings and introduces us to researchers who have made and are making discoveries that help our understanding of how the earth evolved. She goes on expeditions with some of them and describes the kind of field work they do and techniques they use. She also introduces us to some of the early pioneers who made the early discoveries. Strata allows us to observe how the planet has responded to past periods of environmental upheaval and shows how Earth’s ancient narratives could hold lessons for our present and future. Nominated for several science writing awards and full of fascinating information. (Available in all formats; 288 pages)

The link to register is https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/EZ4877E6U4

The deadline to register is the Monday morning the day of the event at 8 am. The Zoom link will be sent to registrants only.

If you have any questions, please contact the organizer, Mary Jane Ashley at maryjane.ashley@utoronto.ca.