Origins of Igneous Rocks / Edition 1

by Paul C. Hess

Overview

This rigorous and up-to-date synthesis of current research and thought in igneous petrology explores the complex process of the generation and cooling of igneous rocks—those formed by solidification from a molten state, either intrusively, below the earth's crust, or extrusively as lava. Through the study of the mineral associations, compositions, and textures achieved in the formation of these rocks, Paul Hess traces the evolution of igneous rocks from site of origin to place of residency. He probes the clues that the distribution of igneous rocks provides for understanding plate tectonic processes. And he focuses on a number of unresolved problems critical to igneous petrology: the ultimate source rock of a magma; the location and process of melting; the collection of magma into large movable masses; the extraction of magma from its source and its emplacement onto the earth's crust; and the conditions of the crystallization and cooling of magma in its ultimate transformation into igneous rock.

This comprehensive work, which integrates geochemistry, tectonophysics, and planetary geology with classical igneous petrology, provides a solid introduction to physical processes and isotopic principles and applies these processes and principles consistently in the discussion of petrogenetic models for all the major types of igneous rocks. It is a stimulating resource for students and researchers in igneous petrology as well as for geologists in allied fields (geophysics, geochemistry, cosomochemistry, and metamorphic petrology).

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780674644816
Publisher:	Harvard University Press
Publication date:	05/04/1989
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	344
Product dimensions:	8.31(w) x 11.06(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Paul C. Hess is Professor of Geological Sciences, Brown University.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. Phase Disgrams

3. Magmatic Differentiation and Other Processes

4. Principles of Geochemistry

5. The Nature of Silicate Melts

6. The Earth's Mantle

7. Primary Magmas

8. Ocean-Floor Volcanism

9. Intraplate Volcanism

10. Island-Arc Volcanism

11. Magmatic Arcs of Continental Margins

12. Continental Flood Basalts

13. Layered Mafic Intrusions

14. Anorthosites

15. Anorogenic Granites and Rhyolites

16. Kimberlites

17. Continental Rifts

18. Komatiites

19. Lunar Petrology

Appendix: Rock Classification

References

Figure Credits

Index

Editorial Reviews

Hess (geological sciences, Brown U.) explores the complex process of the generation and cooling of those rocks formed by solidification from a molten state, either intrusively, below the earth's crust, or extrusively as lava. Some topics treated are: magmatic differentiation and other processes; nature of silicate melts; island-arc volcanism; continental flood basalts and rifts; lunar petrology; ocean-floor volcanism. An advanced treatment. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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