Details
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Format: Hardback, 181 pp.
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Publisher:
KRC Press (December 2005), 3rd edition
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ISBN:
0-9770880-1-4
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Shipping & Handling:
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Shipping Weight:
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Product Dimensions: 7.25 x
9.5 x .75
Description
This interesting and descriptive 3rd edition of Crater
Lake-Gem of the Cascades, encompasses more
detailed information about the formation of Crater Lake and
Mount Mazama-the mountain in which it rests-than any other
popular publication available.
Friends of
CRATER LAKE NATIONAL PARK
Volume 11 No. 1 •
Summer 2006
Former Naturalist
Publishes 3rd Edition of Crater Lake Book
Rod Cranson served as a park ranger with the Crater Lake
Interpretive Staff for seven seasons and has visited the
park during many other summers. During the late 1970s and
early 1980s he was the only geologist on the seasonal park
staff, so part of his duty was to interact with the field
geologists to share research findings with other members of
the interpretive staff and park visitors. It was during this
time that the Chief of Interpretation, Pat Smith, suggested
that an up-to-date book on the park's geology would make a
nice addition to the interpretive program. Rod picked up on
this idea and wrote the first edition of Crater Lake —
Gem of the Cascades. It was published in 1980, the same
year that Mount St. Helens erupted in Washington State, a
few hundred miles north of Crater Lake.
By late 1981, the entire printing of 2,000 copies had
been sold, so it was time for a 2nd edition. A much improved
version was prepared and 7,000 copies were printed Rod
figured they would last forever. After all, how many people
would buy a book on the geology of a national park in
Oregon? He was wrong and Crater Lake — Gem of the
Cascades was out of print again by the early 1990s.
The new version, a 3rd edition, is much improved over the
earlier books. It is more than 50% longer and features a
larger format along with a series of color plates. During
the 1980s and 1990s a great amount of field work on the
geology of Crater Lake was conducted and has been included
in this new edition. In addition, two new chapters were
added. The 3rd edition is nearly 200 pages long with eight
pages of color photographs.
Rod received both his Bachelors of Science and Masters
degrees from Michigan State University in preparation for a
career in petroleum geology. However, the opportunity to
teach Earth Science in high school led to a career in
education and his first teaching position was at Waverly
High School near Lansing, Michigan. In 1966, he accepted a
position with the Science Department at Lansing Community
College, teaching natural science and geology. It was during
his 27 years at Lansing Community College that many summers
were spent at Crater Lake.
What's next on Rod's agenda? Of course he will be
returning to the park with a supply of his Crater Lake books
and will continue doing field work. Another writing project
is underway. It combines his background in teaching with the
Crater Lake experience to produce a series of
classroom-ready activities. Each one will feature a specific
aspect of Crater Lake's geology using a hands-on approach.
Rod has already written and presented a couple of them at
science teacher's conferences.
Rod is a member of Friends of Crater Lake National Park
and the Crater Lake Natural History Association. He resides
in Lansing, Michigan with his wife, Sharon. They have two
grown children and 4 grandchildren.
