This book represents the results of a lengthy study which Professor ALFRED RITTMANN began some thirty years ago. The relationship between the chemical and mineralogical composition of igneous rocks is established as far as is possible. Petrographers will appreciate that this problem is extremely complex, particularly since this relationship forms the basis of the classification and nomenclature of igneous rocks. The ingenious scheme of calculation of the CI.P.W. norm system is essentially chemical in nature. The compositions of the stoichiometrically ideal "normative minerals" do not correspond to those of the constituent minerals found in rocks. Although the "norm" is not intended to equal the "mode" or actual mineral composition of a rock, at least a qualitative agreement between the norm and the mode is desirable. For a number of rocks and rock groups, especially the leucocratic and silicic rocks, the deviation of the norm from the mode is generally within tolerable limits. For the melanocratic and highly subsilicic rocks, on the other hand, the CI.P. W. scheme of calculation too often yields results which fail to reflect the observed mineral composition. The anomalies produced in the cal culation of extremely subsilicic volcanic rocks have recently been briefly discussed by F. CHAVES and H. S. YODER, JR. (1971).

A concise introduction to the mineralogy and petrology of igneous and metamorphic rocks for all Earth Science students.

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.

A major international text for intermediate and advanced students of metamorphic petrology.

Metamorphic rocks are one of the three classes of rocks. Seen on a global scale they constitute the dominant material of the Earth. The understanding of the petrogenesis and significance of metamorphic of geological education. rocks is, therefore, a fundamental topic There are, of course, many different possible ways to lecture on this theme. This book addresses rock metamorphism from a relatively pragmatic view point. It has been written for the senior undergrad uate or graduate student who needs practical knowledge of how to interpret various groups of minerals found in metamorphic rocks. The book is also of interest for the non-specialist and non-petrolo gist professional who is interested in learning more about the geolo gical messages that metamorphic mineral assemblages are sending, as well as pressure and temperature conditions of formation. The book is organized into two parts. The first part introduces the different types of metamorphism, defines some names, terms and graphs used to describe metamorphic rocks, and discusses principal aspects of metamorphic processes. Part I introduces the causes of metamorphism on various scales in time and space, and some principles of chemical reactions in rocks that accompany metamorphism, but without treating these principles in detail, and presenting the thermodynamic basis for quantitative analysis of reactions and their equilibria in metamorphism. Part I also presents concepts of metamorphic grade or intensity of metamorphism, such as the metamorphic-facies concept.

This is a discount Black and white version. Some images may be unclear, please see BCCampus website for the digital version.This book was born out of a 2014 meeting of earth science educators representing most of the universities and colleges in British Columbia, and nurtured by a widely shared frustration that many students are not thriving in courses because textbooks have become too expensive for them to buy. But the real inspiration comes from a fascination for the spectacular geology of western Canada and the many decades that the author spent exploring this region along with colleagues, students, family, and friends. My goal has been to provide an accessible and comprehensive guide to the important topics of geology, richly illustrated with examples from western Canada. Although this text is intended to complement a typical first-year course in physical geology, its contents could be applied to numerous other related courses.

Low-Grade Metamorphism explores processes and transformations in rocks during the early stages of metamorphic recrystallization. There has been little analysis and documentation of this widespread phenomenon, especially of the substantial and exciting advances that have taken place in the subject over the last decade. This book rectifies that shortfall, building on the foundations of Low-Temperature Metamorphism by Martin Frey (1987). The editors have invited contributions from an internationally acknowledged team of experts, who have aimed the book at advanced undergraduate and graduate students as well as researchers in the field. Contributions from internationally acknowledged experts. Documents the substantial and exciting advances that have taken place in the subject over the last decade.

The variety of volcanic activity in the Solar System is widely recognised, yet the majestic sequences of magmatic processes that operate within an active planet are much less well known. Providing an exposition of igneous rocks, magmas and volcanic erupsions, this book brings together magnetic and volcanic data from different tectonic settings, and planets, with explanations of how they fit together. It systematically examines composition, origin and evolution of common igneous rocks, yet also examines a variety of rare magnetic rocks that play a crucial role in the global magma/igneous rock system.

During the past two centuries, crystallography, mineralogy and petrology have evolved from simple compilations of data to powerful disciplines based on interlocking networks of laws, hypotheses and rules-of-thumb. While many data still consist of isolated facts which defy synthesis, a gratifying portion can be organized according to physical and chemical principles. Unfortunately the separation of physical sciences into sub-divisions, especially at the teaching level, makes it difficult to integrate the different approaches to minerals. This separation is worsened by the increasing technical demands of chemical and physical theories, by the number and complexity of experimental methods, by the sheer mass of facts in an observational discipline such as mineralogy or petrology, and by the explosion of papers. This book concentrates on those aspects of the genesis and properties of feldspar minerals which can be related to physical and chemical principles. My main aim is frankly pedagogic: I wish to show how chemical and physical principles can be combined with geologic observation to produce an enhanced level of understanding of the genesis of minerals. The feldspars which demonstrate almost all of the general principles provide the most suitable example.