Author Description

This comprehensive and up-to-date text offers a new conceptual framework for metamorphic petrology. Over the last twenty years, the field has undergone revolutionary changes, due in large part to the progress seen in thermodynamic investigations of metamorphic reactions and to intensive field studies based on petrological, tectonic, geological, thermobarometric, geochronological, and geophysical methods. The text begins with detailed discussions of the latest advances, such as prograde and progressive metamorphism, P-T-t paths, thermal peaks, classifications and thermodynamic characteristics of metamorphic reactions, the relations of isograds to thermal-peak isotherms and isobars, the polychronous origin of isograds, internal and external buffering, and infiltration of externally derived fluids. Discussions proceed to more traditional petrological subjects, such as metamorphic facies, a P/T ratio classification of metamorphic regions, and the tectothermal evolution of metamorphic belts. The change with temperature and pressure of the paragenetic relations of minerals and the chemical compositions of solid-mineral minerals are also discussed. Petrological and mineralogical data of metamorphic rocks are classified according to metamorphic facies and P/T ratio types, and are described with reference to their thermodynamic and geological implications. The book concludes with a history of metamorphic petrology, placing our current knowledge in context with what must still be learned. The text is essential reading for all students and researchers in petrology and regional tectonics.