Igneous and Metamorphic Rocks Under the Microscope


Book Description

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.




Rocks and Minerals in Thin Section


Book Description

This concise, clear and handy–sized volume, aimed at the undergraduate level, provides an introduction to the observation, description and identifi cation in thin section, using the polarizing microscope, of samples of the commonlyoccurring rocks and minerals. Illustrated with a wealth of full colour thin section photomicrographs, and with the original images enhanced by new examples and a revised text, the book explains how to observe mineral and rock samples under the microscope. The book highlights the important diagnostic features of minerals and deals with all rock types – igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic – each with equal emphasis and authority, giving students the knowledge and confi dence to begin to identify specimens for themselves. While intended for students in geology, geography, civil engineering and materials science, the book stands on its own as a beautiful collection of photomicrographs and a permanent source of reference and fascination for all those interested in the nature and science of the world of rocks and minerals.




Microtextures of Igneous and Metamorphic Rocks


Book Description

At a time when 'textural' evidence is regarded as being 'obvious' ( . . . ) it becomes more and more difficult to find illustrations or even descriptions of the arrangements of the various constituents of 'traumatized' rocks. It is helpful in consequence to advise geology students that the study of thin sections is not only concerned with the identification of their mineral content. To do so would mean they could not see the wood for the trees. Accurate identification of the indi vidual minerals that form rocks is fundamental in their description but the analysis of their textures and habits is also essential. Study of textural features enforces constraints upon the inter pretation of the origin and history of a rock. The analysis of micro textures cannot and should never be an aim in itself, out must be sup ported by qualitative and quantitative correlations with theories of petrogenesis. The aim here is to help the reader to bridge the gap between his observations of rocks unqer the microscope and petrogenetic theories. The habits or architectures of crystals in rocks may resemble those studied by metallurgists and glass scientists. Analysis of micro textures is undergoing change engendered by comparisonS between manu factured and hence minerals. This can be seen from the increased number of publications dealing with crystal ~rowth or deformation processes at microscopic scales to which the name of 'nanotectonics' has been applied.




Atlas of Sedimentary Rocks Under the Microscope


Book Description

Provides a very clear guide to sedimentary rock types as seen under the microscope supported by practical aspects of slide preparation.




Atlas of Igneous Rocks and Their Textures


Book Description

A companion volume to the "Atlas of rock-forming minerals in thin section", this full-colour handbook is designed to be used as a laboratory manual both by elementary students of earth sciences undertaking a study of igneous rocks in thin section under the microscope, and by more advanced students and teachers as a reference work. The book is divided into two parts - Part one is devoted to photographs of many of the common textures found in igneous rocks with brief descriptions accompanying each photograph. Part two illustrates the appearance of examples of some sixty of the commonest (and a few not so common) igneous rock types; each photograph is accompanied by a brief description of the field of view shown. Nearly 300 full-colour photographs are included, and in many cases the same view is shown both in plen-polarized light and under crossed polars. A brief account of how thin sections can be prepared is included as an appendix.




Ore Microscopy


Book Description

Provides an up-to-date introduction to the subject of ore microscopy, emphasizing the basic skills required for the study of opaque minerals in polished sections. Describes the modern ore microscope, the preparation of polished and polished-thin sections of opaque minerals and ores, and the identification of these minerals using both qualitative techniques and the quantitative methods of reflectance and microhardness measurement. Later sections discuss the interpretation of textural intergrowths of ore minerals and the determination of their paragenesis, along with the examination of coexisting minerals for determining their physio-chemical conditions of formation. Appendices contain the data necessary to identify approximately 100 of the more common ore minerals and those frequently encountered by the professional scientist.




Introduction to Metamorphic Textures and Microstructures


Book Description

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




Transmitted Light Microscopy of Rock-Forming Minerals


Book Description

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).




Atlas of the Rock-Forming Minerals in Thin Section


Book Description

'Hurray for Mackenzie and Guilford for at last we have a pictorial guide to the rock-forming minerals! . . . such feasts of colour in mineralogy books are rare . . . an admirable guide' New Scientist




A Practical Guide to Rock Microstructure


Book Description

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.