This book sets out the basic materials science needed for understanding the plastic deformation of rocks and minerals. Although at atmospheric pressure or at relatively low environmental pressures, these materials tend to be brittle, that is, to fracture with little prior plastic deformation when non-hydrostatically stressed, they can undergo substantial permanent strain when stressed under environmental conditions of high confining pressure and high temperature, such as occur geologically in the Earth’s crust and upper mantle. Thus the plastic deformation of rocks and minerals is of fundamental interest in structural geology and geodynamics. In mountain-building processes and during convective stirring in the Earth’s mantle, rocks can undergo very large amounts of plastic flow, accompanied by substantial changes in microstructure. These changes in microstructure remain in the rocks as evidence of the past deformation history. There are a number of types of physical processes whereby rock and minerals can undergo deformation under geological conditions. The physics of these processes is set out in this book.

Current Topics in Structural Geology is a collection of invited papers on particular topics of interest in structural geology, from field-based problems on the scale of terranes to microstructures in nature and experiment. Contributors also explore earthquake faulting; S-C mylonites; tectonics and hydrogeology of accretionary prisms; deformation mechanisms; transparent polycrystals; shape and lattice preferred orientations; and mushroom-shaped diapirs. This text is comprised of 13 chapters; the first of which introduces the reader to shallow crustal earthquakes and the structural geology of fault zones. The first chapter also emphasizes the seismogenic regime, strike-slip earthquake rupture processes, structural questions posed by seismology, and mesothermal gold-quartz lodes hosted in steeply inclined shear zones of mixed 'brittle-ductile' character. Discussion then turns to normal faulting in the upper continental crust, along with the application of a method based primarily on fault slip data analysis to determine paleostress in terms of orientation and magnitude. The mechanical behavior and deformation textures of simulated halite shear zones are considered, with special regard to the internal structures of S-C mylonites and their mechanical implications. The remaining chapters examine the role of decollement zone in the tectonics and hydrogeology of accretionary prisms; synkinematic microscopy of transparent polycrystals; and the origin of metamorphic core complexes and detachment faults formed during Tertiary continental extension in the northern Colorado River region. This book is intended primarily for students and practitioners of structural geology.

Current Topics in Structural Geology...

A modern quantitative approach to structural geology and tectonics for advanced students and researchers.

From the reviews: "...one of the charms of this book is that it is different from both structural geology text books and mechanics texts. Bayly has brought these two fields together admirably, with great intelligence, imagination and originality. For this reason alone, I think all active structural geologists, whether in research or teaching, and particularly those concerned with theory, should read this book." (Journal of Structural Geology)

For advanced undergraduate structural geology courses.

Lavishly illustrated in color, this textbook takes an applied approach to introduce undergraduate students to the basic principles of structural geology. The book provides unique links to industry applications in the upper crust, including petroleum and groundwater geology, which highlight the importance of structural geology in exploration and exploitation of petroleum and water resources. Topics range from faults and fractures forming near the surface to shear zones and folds of the deep crust. Students are engaged through examples and parallels drawn from practical everyday situations, enabling them to connect theory with practice. Containing numerous end-of-chapter problems, e-learning modules, and with stunning field photos and illustrations, this book provides the ultimate learning experience for all students of structural geology.