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.

• Deformation
• Microtectonics
• Textbook adopted
• structural geology
• tectonics

From the reviews of the second edition:

"This book deals with descriptions and interpretations of small-scale structures in deformed rock, as seen … through an optical microscope. The text fills a valuable niche, as many textbooks on structural geology do not discuss microscopic aspects of deformation … . The book is extremely well illustrated with some 322 figures … . The book explains basic principles in a simple form with considerable references, enabling the reader to obtain more in-depth information … . I recommend it as an addition to any geologist’s bookshelf." (Steve Parry, Materials World, Vol. 15 (3), March, 2007)

"Microtectonics is a book that I have come to value highly since its publication in 1996. I like the excellent photographs of deformed rocks under the microscope, with their precise descriptive captions. … Microtectonics is an excellent book for researches and advanced students of structural geology, and Cees Passchier and Rudolf Trouw have done this community a service in producing the updated edition with such care." (Nigel Woodcock, Geological Magazine, Vol. 144 (3), 2007)

• Tektonophysik Institut für Geowissenschaften, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany

  Cees W. Passchier

• Departamento de Geologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

  R. A. J. Trouw

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