Microtectonics

This advanced geology textbook provides a comprehensive guide to interpreting microstructures—the small-scale deformation features in rocks that reveal crucial information about geological history and metamorphic processes. Focusing on optical microscopy techniques, it systematically examines common microstructures including foliations, porphyroblasts, veins, and shear sense indicators, offering geologists the analytical tools to extract meaningful data from microscopic rock features. The book bridges the critical gap between microscopic observation and large-scale geological interpretation, making complex microtectonic concepts accessible through detailed explanations and practical methodologies.

What distinguishes this work is its targeted approach to translating microscopic evidence into broader geological understanding, serving as an essential resource for graduate students and professional geologists specializing in structural geology and metamorphic petrology. The systematic treatment of deformation structures and shear sense indicators provides field geologists with practical frameworks for reconstructing tectonic histories from thin section analysis. For researchers working with deformed rocks, this volume establishes foundational principles for microstructural interpretation that directly inform regional tectonic models and crustal evolution studies.