Rise and Fall of San Diego tells the prehistory of the San Diego area as recorded in the layers of sedimentary rocks. The land here has risen and fallen independently from the sea level which also has risen and fallen. The ever-changing landscapes and animal life through time are examined in this book. Numerous field-trips direct the reader to key localities to observe and understand the history stored in the rocks. Author Patrick L. Abbott has been a Professor of the Department of the Geological Studies, San Diego State University for the last 20 years. Over 60 articles in various publications and more than 20 published books have given him a deserved reputation as a prolific author and a recognized authority on the geology of San Diego County. He is a popular lecturer and field-trip guide who is frequently called upon by the media to interpret geological phenomena to San Diego residents.