Hershell H. Nixon is a petroleum geologist with a long interest in the history of the West. With his wife, Joan Lowery Nixon, he has co-authored five science books for young readers, three of which, Volcanoes: Nature's Fireworks; Glaciers: Nature's Frozen River; and Earthquakes: Nature in Motion were named Outstanding Science Books for Children by the National Science Teachers Association-Children's Book Council Joint Committee.