This new edition of the classic textbook presents a large number of diagrams showing the stability relations among minerals and groups of minerals found in metamorphic rocks. The diagrams help to determine the pressure and temperature conditions under which a given set of metamorphic rocks may have formed. Other parameters that control metamorphic mineral assemblages are also discussed and pitfalls resulting from simplifications and generalizations are highlighted. The book discusses the most common metamorphic rock types, their nomenclature, structure and graphical representation of their mineral assemblages.

Part I defines basic principles of metamorphism, introduces metamorphic processes, geologic thermometry and barometry and defines metamorphic grade. Part II presents in a systematic way mineralogical changes and assemblages found in the most common types of metamorphic rocks. The computation of diagrams is based on recent advances in quantitative petrology and geochemistry. An extensive bibliography, including the key contributions and classic papers in the field, make it an invaluable source book for graduate students and professional geologists.

Autorentext

Kurt Bucher studied geology and obtained his Ph.D. at ETH Zurich (Switzerland). He worked as Assistant Professor at the University of Basel (Switzerland), Professor of Geology at the University of Oslo (Norway) and Professor of Mineralogy and Geochemistry at the University of Freiburg (Germany). His research is focused on field studies of water-rock interaction processes in deep geothermal systems.