Microtectonics

Microtectonics deals with the interpretation of microstructures, small-scale deformation structures in rocks that yield abundant information on the history and type of deformation and metamorphism. The results are used by geologists to obtain data for large-scale geological interpretations. This advanced textbook treats common microstructures such as foliations, porphyroblasts, veins, fringes and shear sense indicators. The book mainly focusses on optical microscopy as a tool to study microstructures, but also describes other techniques such as EBSD and tomography. Many photographs and explanatory drawings clarify the text. The new edition, substantially revised throughout and extended, features two new chapters (primary structures and experimental microstructures), 68 new figures, more than 800 new references. Microtectonics has proven useful for self study of microstructures and as a manual for short- and one-semester courses.

 

Rudolph A. J. Trouw is professor of Structural Geology at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.