Thomas F. McLoughlin offers rock hounds, geologists, and paleontologists (or paleobotanists) with more glimpses into his fossil collections through his book “A Guide to Pennsylvanian (Carboniferous) Age Plant Fossils of Southwest Virginia” (ReadersMagnet; 2019).

“A Guide to Pennsylvanian (Carboniferous) Age Plant Fossils of Southwest Virginia” is McLoughlin's scientific picture guide to fossils found in close association with the coal measures in Southwestern Virginia. The author had spent the last 27 plus years in and around the bituminous coal mines of southwestern Virginia, which is part of the Appalachian region.

The Appalachian region is one of Earth's most biodiverse ecosystems. Coal mining was the region's most important employer in the 20th century. The region teems with diverse flora and fauna in diverse habitats created by humid-temperate climate.

“A Guide to Pennsylvanian (Carboniferous) Age Plant Fossils of Southwest Virginia” showcases a gallery of fossil plants and a few fossil marine organisms. There are 57 plates with more than 280 illustrations, most of which are in color. The fossils are sorted by groups and located as to coal seam horizon and geographic location. Short descriptions of each group of plant types are also provided with the help of the author's colleagues.

This non-fiction book complements McLoughlin's other pictorial guide, “Plant Fossil Atlas From (Pennsylvanian) CARBONIFEROUS AGE FOUND in Central Appalachian Coalfields and Volume II,” which revolves around the fossils of Virginia and Kentucky. All three books are a must-have for those who are interested in fossil collecting or paleobotany.

Purchase a copy of “A Guide to Pennsylvanian (Carboniferous) Age Plant Fossils of Southwest Virginia” by Thomas F. McLoughlin today on the author's website https://www.tfmcloughlin.com/.

“A Guide to Pennsylvanian (Carboniferous) Age Plant Fossils of Southwest Virginia”
Author | Thomas F. McLoughlin
Published date | October 15, 2019
Publisher | ReadersMagnet
Book retail price | $20.59

Author Bio

Thomas F. McLoughlin received his Bachelor of Science degree from Morehead State University (MSU) at Morehead, Kentucky in 1977. He then obtained his Master of Science in Geology degree from Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) in Richmond, Kentucky in December 1979.

McLoughlin joined the U.S. Department of Labor Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) in June 1980 and stayed with this agency as a geologist and coal-mine inspector for twenty-eight years, collecting plant fossils in the coal mines and outcrops (road cuts) in southwestern Virginia parts of Kentucky and West Virginia.

For approximately 26 years, he taught Introduction to Geology courses at colleges in Cumberland, Kentucky and Wise, Virginia.

He started out in geology as a “rock hound,” collecting rocks, minerals, and fossils. By the end of high school, he decided to become a geologist and attended college. His parents actually insisted that he leave home because it was overtaken by my rock samples. During high school and college, he practiced lapidary work, making jewelry from minerals and rocks. He currently teaches coal miner training and serves as a coal mine safety consultant in Norton, Virginia.

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