Florida is a land of geological wonders, from its little-known earthquake history to the rich new fossil hunting grounds constantly being revealed by commercial development and quarrying activity. Much more than a fashionable resort or retirement destination. Florida ranks fifth in mineral production among all the United States. Florida's surprising mineral wealth ranges from commercial mines to coral islands; from valuable industrial metals like zirconium and titanium to such collectible treasures as chalcedony, ivory, petrified wood, and stunning crystals. You can gather Florida's mineral riches from the waters of the state's 34 major rivers, or find them waiting in the darkness of its 375 dry caves. Alongside a wondrous number of fossil remnants of such prehistoric creatures as jaguar, tapir, and mammoth, you will unearth arrowheads, stone knives, and other relics of the tools early man hunted them with. This book will tell you where to collect every type of mineral and fossil in Florida, and explain how they got there. Maps of the collecting areas, tips on carving, collecting, tools, and techniques for identifying and preserving your finds will help you prepare to uncover the remarkable variety, beauty, and wealth of Florida's geological treasures. Iris Tracy Comfort is the author of eight previous works of fiction and nonfiction, including two other books about rocks and minerals. She has worked as a reporter and scriptwriter, and has published numerous magazine articles and syndicated features. A frequent lecturer and seminar teacher on writing, she lives in Orlando, Florida.