The Geology of Middle-earth

Abstract

Author Pat McIntosh believes that the geology of Middle-Earth is logical and consistent. However, the geology is only partially described throughout the books, so some assumptions had to be made. Namely, that the topographical descriptions are accurate and that rock types and their properties are the same as we know here, except for the mithril-ore. McIntosh describes the geology of three regions, of which encompass the Shire, the Barrow-downs, the Misty Mountains, Caradhras, Lothlorien, and the fields of Rohan. McIntosh goes over the geological make up of each of these areas, and how the form into one another.