This quotation is familiar to all geoscientists, but it is just as pertinent today as it has ever been. Today’s advanced geophysical workstations are truly magnificent tools, but we should remember that they are only tools. The skill remains the geological interpretation of geophysical data. I sometimes apologize to myself and others that this still needs to be said — but it surely does! I am indeed disappointed by the general standard of seismic interpretation in the world today.

Now that this book has been in use, through various editions, for more than 22 years, I must reflect on the many contributions that have ensured its success. Most particularly I must thank Bill Abriel, Rebecca Latimer, David Roberts, Greg Partyka, Malcolm Lansley, Les Denham, and Dave Agarwal for writing sections for me. Many people, too numerous to name, have kindly released data examples and discussed their interpretations with me. AAPG and SEG have cooperated in the book’s publication since the Fifth Edition. Anne Thomas has edited all editions. The high quality of the product depends significantly on her editorial expertise.

The discovery of “deep time” is one of geology’s greatest contributions to human understanding. The conceptual foundations laid by eighteenth- and nineteenth-century geologists working in relatively small geographic areas paved the way for development of the modern high-resolution geological timescale (figure 1.1), which spans 4.6 billion years of Earth history and applies to geological features anywhere on Earth.

Soils are a valuable resource and a critical component in many of the environmental and economic issues facing society today. Understanding soil properties and soil behaviour and interpreting soil data are especially relevant for many environmental and land management issues facing the community. These issues include urban development, control of salinity, clearing of native vegetation, prevention of land degradation, control of water and wind erosion, irrigation development, the management of effluent disposal, contamination and the management of acid sulfate soils.