An introduction to the thin section description and interpretation of metamorphic rocks, their textures, and microstructures, for advanced undergraduate and graduate geology students. Sections cover some of the broader aspects of metamorphism and metamorphic rocks, the basics of description and interpretation of the textural/microstructural features from the simplest to the more complex, and advanced interpretations in polydeformed and polymetamorphosed rocks. Also available in paper (02414-2), $29.95. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

A text which aims to help undergraduate students in geology to recognize and interpret metamorphic textures and microstructures in thin-section. For lecturers and postgraduates in geology and petrology, the book provides reference for the interpretation of metamorphic rocks.

Technological advances over recent years, and examines interrelationships between deforma a wealth of new research providing refreshing tion and metamorphism. It includes an exten sive chapter on strain-related microstructures, new interpretations on many metamorphic microstructures, encouraged me to embark on and others on the controversial but important this considerably expanded and fully updated topics of porphyroblast-foliation relation second edition. ships, and shear-sense indicators. The penulti My aim in producing this book on metamor mate chapter is on the topic of fluids and phic textures and microstructures has been to vemmg, and in the final, completely provide a detailed introduction to the thin redesigned, chapter, the characteristic reaction section description and interpretation of meta textures and microstructures associated with morphic rocks. Although primarily written for particular environments of metamorphism and specific P-T -t trajectories are discussed. the advanced undergraduate student, it should provide a useful first source of reference for This is done with reference to many of the any geologist dealing with metamorphic rocks. classic areas of metamorphism from around It is intended that the text should be both well the world. Appendices giving mineral (and other) abbreviations (Appendix I), a glossary illustrated and comprehensive, but at the same of terms (Appendix II), and a list of key time concise and affordable. The book is comprised of three parts.

Metamorphic Textures provides definitions, descriptions and illustrations of metamorphic textures, as well as the fundamental processes involved in textural development. This book is composed of 11 chapters and begins with a presentation of the metamorphic processes and the production of metamorphic minerals. The subsequent chapters describe the structural classification of grain boundaries, the metamorphic reactions, mineral transformations, and the crystallization and recrystallization of metamorphic rocks. These topics are followed by the texture examination of thermal metamorphic rocks and minerals and the preferred orientations of these rocks, particularly the dimensional and lattice preferred orientation. Other chapters survey the textures of rocks under dynamic and shock metamorphism. The final chapters describe the textures of regional and polymetamorphism. This book will be of great use to petrologists, physicists, and graduate and undergraduate petrology students.

A clear understanding of the processes responsible for observed rock microstructures is essential for making reliable petrogenetic interpretations, including inferences made from chemical and isotopic analyses of minerals. This volume presents a comprehensive survey of rock microstructures, emphasising basic concepts and the latest methods, while highlighting potential pitfalls in the interpretation of the origin of rock microstructure. Richly illustrated with over 250 colour photographs, including more than 10 percent new photomicrographs and several mesoscopic images, it demonstrates the basic processes responsible for the wide variety of microstructures in igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. This second edition includes extensive updates to the coverage of igneous rocks as well as recent ideas on physical processes in migmatites and partial melting of sedimentary rocks. This practical guide will continue to be an invaluable resource to advanced students and early-career researchers of mineralogy, petrology and structural geology, as well as professional geologists and material scientists.

Rock microstructures provide clues for the interpretation of rock history. A good understanding of the physical or structural relationships of minerals and rocks is essential for making the most of more detailed chemical and isotopic analyses of minerals. Ron Vernon discusses the basic processes responsible for the wide variety of microstructures in igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic and deformed rocks, using high-quality colour illustrations. He discusses potential complications of interpretation, emphasizing pitfalls, and focussing on the latest techniques and approaches. Opaque minerals (sulphides and oxides) are referred to where appropriate. The comprehensive list of relevant references will be useful for advanced students wishing to delve more deeply into problems of rock microstructure. Senior undergraduate and graduate students of mineralogy, petrology and structural geology will find this book essential reading, and it will also be of interest to students of materials science.

This book presents a guide of optical mineralogy for beginners and microscopists who need to brush up their knowledge. It allows the fast identification of common rock-forming minerals in a thin section using a polarized light microscope and transmitted plane and cross polarized light. The book summarizes essential principles of optical mineralogy in numerous schemes. It explains, with the aid of more than 1000 microscopic images, how to determine the diagnostic optical characteristics of a mineral in a thin section. Seventy-two mineral plates of sixty-five common rock-forming minerals comprising typical microscopic images in plane and cross polarized light illustrate the most important optical and crystallographic parameters and their diagnostic characteristics and typical appearance in various geological settings. The original approach of the book is to facilitate mineral identification by mineral plates organized according to color in transmitted plane polarized light and, in each color category, according to decreasing maximum birefringence in cross polarized light. In addition, two chapters are devoted to the classification of magmatic and metamorphic rocks and their common mineral parageneses and textures. The book reflects the author’s experience of teaching optical mineralogy in the most efficient way possible to generations of students at the Universities of Heidelberg (Germany), Basel (Switzerland), and Geneva (Switzerland).

This is the first modern text to provide a thorough integrated treatment of those parts of the subject that use the polarizing microscope as the central analytical tool. The book is divided into three parts and a comprehensive glossary/index provides easy access to the contents of the book.

This book describes the geological setting of Iran throughout geological history, referring to paleogeography and general geodynamics. Also, all structural units, faults, tectonic phases and orogeny occurred in the geology of Iran have been evaluated. Magmatic and metamorphic rocks along with ophiolitic complexes have extensive outcrops in Iran, and these rocks with Precambrian age constitute its basement. Study and identification of such rocks not only throws light on the geodynamic issues of Iran but also helps in recognition of the mode of formation and evolution of the sedimentary basins located within various structural divisions of the country. Moreover, the majority of metallic and non-metallic mineral deposits are associated either directly or indirectly with magmatic, and at time metamorphic, rocks. In the Magmatism and Metamorphism parts, it is tried to thoroughly consider the various aspects of the igneous rocks, whether intrusive, extrusive or young volcanoes, from the point of view of petrography, geochemistry and geodynamics. In addition, the major intrusive bodies of Iran have been presented along with their petrologic and chronologic specifications in tables, mentioning the bibliographic resources.