The proceedings from the September 1998 conference in Marshall, California contain 39 papers on the following topics: ophiolites, ocean crust, and global tectonics; oceanic lower crust and upper mantle; structure and physical properties of upper oceanic crust; hydrothermal processes; Pacific Rim ophiolites; and, Ophiolites from Iapetus, Rheic-Pleionic, Neotethyan, and Indian Oceans. Contributors include scientists with backgrounds in structural geology, tectonics, geophysics, petrology, and geochemistry. Numerous black and white illustrations (and one in color) are included. Annotation copyrighted by Book News Inc., Portland, OR

The book is a thoughtful discussion with scientists studying convergent plate boundaries such as the well-known, active India-Eurasia collision zone. It provides a comprehensive collection of petrographic images of ophiolitic rocks exhumed from oceanic lithosphere and mantle at the India-Asia plate boundary. Ophiolite is exposed in the northwestern Himalayas, eastern Indian plate margin and Andaman-Nicobar Islands. At the eastern margin, it occurs in a narrow strip comprising mantle peridotite tectonite, cummulate peridotite-gabbro-plagiogranite-anorthosite, mafic dyke, volcanics and oceanic sediments. Low temperature/high pressure rocks including blueschists and eclogites were extensively studied recently. Ophiolite derived sediments and podiform chromites will also be discussed to provide complete details. Supplemental maps, geological sections, field sketches and photographs will explain the structure, stratigraphy, ore mineralization, and metamorphic history.

The papers in this volume fall into two categories. In the first section the nature and formation of oceanic lithosphere is discussed from integrated and individual studies of the present ocean crust and ophiolite complexes. The papers are divided into 5 sub-groups on: magma chambers, their products & processes; fracture zones; mantle structures; lavas and sediments; isotope studies & metamorphism. The second section contains both review and original articles on the emplacement (obduction) of ophiolites and the use to which they can be put in understanding the processes of plate collision.

I was invited to write this book as part of the Minerals, Rocks and Organic Materials Series of Springer-Verlag by Professor Peter J. Wyllie in 1974. Ophiolites have preoccupied me ever since 1948 as a graduate student and up to the present time as part of my research with the U.S. Geological Survey. During this period ophiolite, an obscure European geological term, has attained an ever-increasing importance, is now used to include all fragments of ancient oceanic lithosphere incorporated into the orogenic zones of modern and ancient continental margins, and is a standard part of the plate tectonic paradigm. The purpose of this book is to provide a starting point for anyone interested in the background and state of knowledge concerning ophiolites (ancient oceanic lithosphere). Because ophiolites represent fragments of old oceanic crust their tectonic setting and age are extremely important in the reconstruction of ancient plate boundaries. Present day plate tectonic theories involve the generation and disposal of oceanic lithosphere, so that these ancient fragments of oceanic lithosphere can be used directly to reconstruct conditions within the ancient oceans. Since 1970, numerous meetings and conferences directly related to ophiolites have stimulated worldwide interest in the subject. As part of the International Correlation Program, the project "Ophiolites of Continents and Comparable Oceanic Rocks," was initiated by Dr. N. Bogdanov, Geological Institute, Moscow. This project has brought together an international group that has focused on the outstanding problems and is now producing a world map of ophiolite distribution.

The proceedings from the September 1998 conference in Marshall, California contain 39 papers on the following topics: ophiolites, ocean crust, and global tectonics; oceanic lower crust and upper mantle; structure and physical properties of upper oceanic crust; hydrothermal processes; Pacific Rim ophiolites; and, Ophiolites from Iapetus, Rheic-Pleionic, Neotethyan, and Indian Oceans. Contributors include scientists with backgrounds in structural geology, tectonics, geophysics, petrology, and geochemistry. Numerous black and white illustrations (and one in color) are included. Annotation copyrighted by Book News Inc., Portland, OR

"This volume honors Eldridge Moores, one of the most accomplished geologists of his generation. The volume starts with a summary of Moores' achievements, along with personal dedications and memories from people who knew him. Leading off the volume's 12 chapters of original scientific contributions is Moores' last published paper that presents an example of the Historical Contingency concept, which suggested that earlier subduction history may result in supra-subduction zone geochemical signatures for some magmas formed in non-subduction environments. Other chapters highlight the societal significance of geology, the petrogenesis of ophiolites, subduction zone processes, orogenic belt evolution, and other topics, covering the globe and intersecting with Moores' interests and influences"--

Featuring over 250 contributions from more than 100 earth scientists from 18 countries, The Encyclopedia of Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology deals with the nature and genesis of igneous rocks that have crystallized from molten magma, and of metamorphic rocks that are the products of re-crystallization associated with increases in temperature and pressure, mainly at considerable depths in the Earth's crust. Entries range from alkaline rocks to zeolite facies - providing information on the mineralogical, chemical and textural characters of rock types, the development of concepts and the present state of knowledge across the spectrum of igneous and metamorphic petrology, together with extensive lists of both commonly used and little used terms and bibliographies.

Proceedings of the Ophiolite Conference, held in Muscat, Oman, January 7-18, 1990

The 32 papers in this volume examine the mode and nature of igneous, metamorphic, tectonic, sedimentological, and biological processes associated with the evolution of oceanic crust in different tectonic settings in Earth history as revealed in various ophiolites and ophiolite belts around the world, and the geodynamic significance of these ophiolites in the evolution of different orogenic systems. Divided into six thematic sections, the book presents a wealth of new data and syntheses from mainly Phanerozoic ophiolites around the world.