Structural Geology Textbooks

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Nadal Braymiller

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Aug 5, 2024, 3:01:03 AM8/5/24

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This books covers basic topics in Structural Geology with very good examples of material and processes to enhance comprehension. The book is missing a section focused solely on the behaviors of rocks when subjected to stress as a function of various environments factors. It would have been great to see a capstone chapter discussing the tectonic history a selected region in details. This type of chapter will provide readers with an opportunity to see the overall incorporation of separately discussed topics into one theme to buttress the interrelationships between the various topics.

This book starts with basic concepts, processes, and materials which represent the building block to understanding the behaviors of rocks when subjected to stress. These fundamental concepts are universal and applicable in advance structural geology. While online resources in the area of stereographic projection is mentioned, it would have been more beneficial if it had been elaborated on in greater details. This is because students are increasingly having to learn a great deal virtually, and are more dependent on various types of apps for learning activities.

The subsections within each section are not listed in the table of content, neither have they been listed at the beginning of sections. This presents a challenge for readers as they are unable to plan what to read without reading through the whole book or section. The subsections have also not been numbered, thereby presenting a difficulty to readers in organizing how and where to read or in locating particular subsections in the book.

The sections and subsections in this book follow a logical progression with each being very concise. However, a section discussing the responses of rocks to stress should have been included and discussed before the discussion on Folds.

The table of content is not elaborate and detailed enough to include subsections. The sections and subsections are not labeled appropriately, this presents navigational issues in locating topics without going through the whole book. A couple of images are also not very clear either due to the quality or resolution of the pictures used.

This is a well written book missing two important sections already pointed out. The table of content will benefit from the inclusion of subsections that are appropriately and sequentially labeled or numbered to enable easy navigation by readers. The laboratory exercises in this book of particular very useful in introducing students to techniques in structural geology.

This manual consists of both readings and lab exercises, which alternate through the text. The readings are designed to be read and understood outside the lab sessions, whereas the labs contain specific instructions and questions to be completed. Before each lab, be sure you have covered the readings that come immediately before it.

PSG&T offers a process-based approach to learning about structural geology and tectonics, based on material in Earth Structure (2nd ed). The online text combines fundamentals, observations and applications and differs significantly from most textbook offerings in this area by a novel and intuitive integration of content. The material starts with examination of the behavior, properties and structures of the upper crust, which is dominated by frictional procesess, followed by considering a lower crust and mantle that deform primarily by plastic processes; the third block of chapters examines the deformation characteristics of plate tectonic settings.

The pricing of PSG&T is another departure from traditional texts in this area, with very competitve rates (

Ben A. van der Pluijm is Bruce R. Clark Collegiate Professor of Geology and Professor of the Environment at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. He is (co-)author of more than 170 research articles and editor/board member of several international journals. His research focuses on fault rocks and processes, crustal architecture of collisional belts, intraplate deformation, microstructures and textures, and geochronology, with field areas around the world. He teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in Earth Sciences and Program in the Environment at U-M, and offers outreach lectures on geology, sustainability and societal resilience.

vdpl...@umich.edu

Stephen Marshak is Professor of Geology and Director of the School of Earth Society and Environment at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. He holds a Ph.D. from Columbia University, an M.S. from the University of Arizona, and a B.A. from Cornell University. He has served as Chair of the Division of Structural Geology and Tectonics of the Geological Society of America. He has written numerous research articles on topics in structural geology and tectonics, and has authored or co-authored three other successful books: Basic Methods of Structural Geology; Earth: Potrait of a Planet; and Essentials of Geology.

smar...@illinois.edu

Figures from ES2 are available to adopters from the online Norton Resource Library. Color version of many figures are included in Processes in Structural Geology and Tectonics. Whereas figure numbers are different in PSG&T, the ES2 figure number is retianed at the end of the new caption.

Many photos are available on the Earth Structure Web Album. The images are copyrighted, and can only be used for educational, non-profit purposes. A rotating diplay of the images is at the top of this page.

PDFs of powerpoint slides for Chapters (and subchapters) are linked below (v. 2010). PowerPoint originals (incl notes/figure captions) are available on request to instructors who use the textbook, based on WW Norton's adopter records; contact Ben van der Pluijm.

Disclaimer. The text and illustrations on this and linked EarthStructure pages are strictly for educational purposes. All opinions expressed are the responsibility of the authors and do not represent those of the publisher nor the home institutions of the authors.

Copyright. This page and its links contain copyrighted material. Reproduction in any form requires permission from the original copyright holders, the authors and/or the publishers.

The study of fractured (hard rock) aquifers is increasingly pressing because they occupy vast areas of all continents, and the dependence on this type of aquifer for water supply is growing fast. In hard rocks, groundwater flows through void spaces that are present in fractures that form a connected network; its characterization requires knowledge of structural geology and rock mechanics. This book shows how these disciplines allow us to unveil the logic of the organization of a fracture network and help us build more realistic conceptual models.

The permeability of hard rocks is related to fracture connectivity and aperture, and both are constrained by a number of structural geology and rock mechanics factors. In this way, this book brings insight to questions such as: How does the geometry of different fracture types influence connectivity and aperture? How do tectonic regimes (compressive, extensional and strike slip) influence the general configuration of a fracture network? How does the brittle deformation history affect the architecture and connectivity of the fracture system? How does the current in situ stress field affects the aperture of fractures?

Different rock types, such as sedimentary, volcanic, metamorphic, and intrusive rocks have their own typical discontinuities and pre-existent structures. This influences how the in-situ stresses develop different fracture network architectures. Conceptual models of fracture networks, their connectivity, and preferential groundwater flow pathways, in different geological settings, are presented and explained.

Due to the heterogeneous distribution of the fracture porosity, hard rock aquifers pose many scientific and methodological challenges. One way to overcome these difficulties is to conduct detailed fracture surveys, on large rock exposures, when possible, and to apply structural geology and rock mechanics fundamentals to the collected data. Such work gradually builds knowledge on the organizational logic of fracture systems and how it affects groundwater flow.

Please consider nominations for the Structural Geology & Tectonics Division Outstanding Publication Award. This award is given annually for a published work (paper, book, or map) of exceptional distinction that clearly advances the science of structural geology or tectonics. The Outstanding Publication Award is not limited to members of the Division or the Society, and awardees may be single or multiple authors, with no restrictions as to nationality, citizenship, publisher or publishing agency. The award may not be given posthumously unless the decision to give the award is made before the death of the awardee(s). A list of past awardees is provided below.

The nomination process is simple, quick, and enjoyable. The award is important because it serves to recognize exceptional science and creativity while also inspiring others. Participation in the process offers you a chance to revisit and reflect on publications that have had a major impact on your work and (or) teaching.

Please take a few moments to make a short list of exceptional publications. Return to your list and reread your favorites. As you review these favorites, jot down a few notes. Finally, choose one to nominate and write a nomination that supports your choice. Some questions to consider:

Prof. Marshak was on the faculty in the Department of Geology for 35 years, and became emeritus in 2018. He served as Department Head of Geology for 8 years, and then as Director of the School of Earth, Society, and Environment for 10 years. In addition to research in structural geology and tectonics, he maintains a strong interest in geoscience education. He authors or co-authorrs college textbooks in introductory geology, Earth Science, and structural geology, most of which are published by W.W. Norton & Company. He also has developed a MOOC (massive open online course) offered through Coursera.