Passchier C.W., Trouw R.A. Microtectonics

2nd Ed., Springer, 2005. – 371 pp. ISBN: 3540640037.This book deals with the description and interpretation of small scale structures in deformed rocks as seen in thin section through the optical microscope. The book is meant for advanced undergraduate and graduate students, and is best used in combination with a practical course where thin sections can be studied and discussed. In our experience, a collection of 100–200 thin sections with examples from structures treated in our Chapters 3–9 are sufficient for such a course.
In Chapter 1 the ‘philosophy’ of how we think that microstructures can be understood is discussed, including their usefulness in tectonic studies. Chapter 2 gives a simplified, non-mathematical background in kinematics and rheology, meant to explain the terminology used in the interpretation of microstructures. Deformation on the grain scale and deformation mechanisms are treated in Chapter
3. Chapters 4 to 7 form the core of the book and deal with the most commonly observed microstructures. In Chapter 8 some primary microstructures from igneous and sedimentary rocks are discussed, and in Chapter 9 a brief outline is given of a new development in microtectonics which we called microgauges: structures that can be used to obtain quantitative data from deformed rocks. Chapter 10 describes a number of additional techniques other than optical microscopy. These techniques either use thin sections, or can be used in combination with optical microscopy to obtain additional data. The descriptions are short but should allow the reader to decide if it is advantageous to use an unfamiliar technique, available outside the home department. Chapter 11 gives an overview of the current state of the art of experimental studies. Chapter 12 describes problems involved with sampling and preparation of thin sections, including the problem of the interpretation of three dimensional structures using two-dimensional sections.
A glossary and index are given at the end of the book; the definitions in this glossary reflect our opinion on the meaning of the terminology as used at present. A number of boxes explaining subjects in more detail are present in several chapters. Figures in these boxes are numbered separately, starting with B. and the chapter number.