Introducing Tectonics, Rock Structures and Mountain Belts (Introducing Earth and Environmental Sciences) - Softcover

Park, Graham

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1906716269 ISBN 13: 9781906716264

Publisher: Liverpool University Press, 2012

Synopsis

Introducing Tectonics, Rock Structures and Mountain Belts is written to explain the key concepts of tectonics and rock structures to students and to the interested non-specialist, especially those without a strong mathematical background. The study and understanding of geological structures has traditionally been guided by the rigorous application of mathematics and physics but, in this book, Graham Park has avoided mathematical equations altogether and has reduced the geometry to the minimum necessary. The application of plate tectonic theory has revolutionised structural geology by giving the study of rock structures a context in which they can be explained. Since the large-scale movements of the plates ultimately control smaller-scale structures, the study of tectonics is the key to understanding the latter. The reader is thus introduced to large-scale Earth structure and the theory of plate tectonics before dealing with geological structures such as faults and folds. Studies by structural geologists of the movement history of rock masses relative to each other, as revealed by the study of fault systems and shear zones, has helped to integrate rock structures with plate tectonics and this has been emphasised in the book. One of the most exciting aspects of geology is the study of the great mountain ranges, orogenic belts. The final three chapters of the book explain how knowledge of plate tectonic theory, geological structures and the processes of deformation may be employed to understand these orogenic belts. hilst excessive use of terminology is avoided, all technical terms are in a Glossary and, as with all books in this series, the text is illustrated profusely.

About this title

About the Author

Graham Park is Emeritus Professor of Tectonic Geology at the University of Keele and author of the popular 'Introducing Geology', the title that initiated the successful 'Introducing' series.

Review

'The scope of this book is large, but they are all inter-related topics that have at their heart structures at several different scales. He begins with a very useful couple of pages that outline the contents of each chapter. The author expresses the view that an understanding of plate tectonics lies at the centre of an appreciation of smaller structures and the layout reflects this - The book is complemented with a fine glossary that is almost a dictionary - a very nice touch! Do I think this is a good book? I most certainly do.' Down to Earth - -

Edition details

• Publisher: Liverpool University Press
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 1906716269
• ISBN 13: 9781906716264
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 144