Interpreting Earth – A History of Geology through Encounters with Table Mountain

Towering above the city of Cape Town, Table Mountain has a tumultuous story to tell that extends back over 500 million years. The iconic landmark at the south-western tip of Africa has been a welcome sight to locals and overseas visitors for more than 500 years.

One of the most-climbed mountains in the world, Table Mountain inspired many to record their thoughts and impressions. While the rocky massif has remained virtually unchanged, people’s perceptions of it have changed dramatically.

This book chronicles the evolution of how we think and feel about mountains through the written records of those who encountered Table Mountain, and how we came to read Table Mountain’s story in parallel with the development of geology as a science.