Igneous Petrology

A concise introduction to the mineralogy and petrology of igneous and metamorphic rocks for all Earth Science students.

A textbook providing a quantitative approach to the petrologic principles of igneous and metamorphic rocks in a new edition.

Igneous Petrology provides up-to-date, integrated, comprehensive coverage of physical and chemical facets of magmatic rocks and magma systems. Field relations and fabrics of rocks together with their mineralogical, chemical and isotopic compositions facilitate interpretation of rock origin. The dynamic evolution of magma systems is considered from thermodynamics and from their chemical, physical and kinetic properties. Sources of magmas and how they are generated and subsequently evolve are considered in the context of global tectonics. The textbook stresses petrologic processes while also providing thorough descriptions of rock products suitable for the undergraduate student. Organized in terms of chemical and physical phenomena. Includes new insights into intrusive and volcanic processes-especially, explosive volcanism in field petrology. Contains new data in physical petrology. Focuses on the latest research of magma properties and experimental and theoretical modeling. Consists of new coverage of trace element characterization of rock associations and modeling. Well illustrated text with a 6-page, 4-color insert. For ease of use, the quantitative material is set aside in boxes and in certain chapters. Features "Fundamental questions considered in the chapter" which provide a brief, chapter preview. "Critical thinking questions" allow the students to expand their command of the subject. Contains a comprehensive glossary along with a list of cited references. Additional problem sets will be available on the web.

Igneous petrology was to some extent essentially a descriptive sci ence until about 1960. The results were mainly obtained from field work, major element analyses, and microscopical studies. During the 1960's two simultaneous developments took place, plate tectonics became generally accepted, and the generation of magmas could now be related to the geodynamic features like convection cells and subduction zones. The other new feature was the development of new analytical apparatus which allowed high accuracy analyses of trace elements and isotopes. In addition it became possible to do ex perimental studies at pressures up to 100 kbar. During the 1970's a large amount of analytical data was obtained and it became evident that the igneous processes that control the compositions of magmas are not that simple to determine. The composition of a magma is controlled by the compositions of its source, the degree of partial melting, and the degree of fractionation. In order to understand the significance of these various processes the relationship between the physical processes and their geochemical consequences should be known. Presently there are several theories that attempt to explain the origin of the various magma types, and these theories can only be evaluated by turning the different ideas into quantitative models. We will so to speak have to do some book keeping for the various theories in order to see which ones are valid. the present book is intended as an introduction to the more fun damental aspects of quantitative igneous petrology.

Physical Sciences

The second half of the past century witnessed a remarkable paradigm shift in approach to the understanding of igneous rocks. Global literature records a change from a classical petrographic approach to emphasis on mineral chemistry, trace element characteristics, tectonic setting, phase relations, and theoretical simulation of magma generation and evolution processes. This book contains contributions by international experts in different fields of igneous petrology and presents an overview of recent developments. This book is dedicated to the late Dr Mihir K. Bose, former professor of the Department of Geology, Presidency College, Calcutta, India, who actively participated in the development of this new global view of igneous petrology.

The field of Igneous Petrology has evolved greatly in the past years. McBirney's new Third Edition, completely revised and updated, presents a modern and integrated survey of the geological and genetic relations of igneous rocks. It illustrates how modern geochemical and geophysical methods can be combined with field relations to understand the generational and compositional evolution of magmas.

A balanced text that bridges the gap between introductory petrography-oriented texts and the more advanced texts that have a thermodynamic and/or chemical approach. Well-indexed, well-referenced and written in a particularly readable style, it leads the reader from classical to modern concepts in igneous petrology.