The Nature and Origin of Granite - Hardcover

Pitcher, Wallace S.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0751400807 ISBN 13: 9780751400809

Publisher: Kluwer Academic Publishers, 1993

Synopsis

The origin of granite has for long fascinated geologists though serious debate on the topic may be said to date from a famous meeting of the Geological Society of France in 1847. My own introduction to the subject began exactly one hundred years later when, in an interview with Professor H. H. Read, I entered his study as an amateur fossil collector and left it as a committed granite petrologist - after just ten minutes! I can hardly aspire to convert my reader in so dramatic a way, yet this book is an attempt, however inadequate, to pass on the enthusiasm that I inherited, and which has been reinforced by innumerable discussions on the outcrop with granitologists of many nationali- ties and of many shades of opinion. Since the 1960s, interest in granites has been greatly stimulated by the thesis that granites image their source rocks in the inaccessible deep crust, and that their diversity is the result of varying global tectonic context. So great a body of new data and new ideas has accumulated that my attempt to review the whole field of granite studies must carry with it a possible charge of arrogance, especially as I have adopted the teaching device of presenting the material from a personal point of view with its thinly disguised prejudices.

About this title

Review

about the first edition:
`Without doubt, Wallace Pitcher is currently the granite specialist ... an essential book for deep-zone geologists, whether granitologists or not. '
Geotechnique
`... this excellent and very readable book by an acknowledged master of the craft. The book should be read by anybody interested in granites. It is notable for the breadth of its approach and valuable for presenting the summarized work of a geologist who has made a notable contribution over a lifetime of work. '
Journal of Petrology
`This book is a must for all those engaged in the study of granites, and igneous rocks in general, from undergraduates to professors. It is also an essential library addition. In summary, crucial reading for anyone interested in the origin of granite. '
Geological Magazine

Synopsis

Granites constitute most of the continental crust on which we live, and have been the subject of investigation and controversy since geology began. It would be fair to say that the study of granites has fuelled every major advance in the Earth Sciences, as they are so central to our understanding of the formation and evolution of planet Earth. This new book has been written by a geologist who has studied granites for over 50 years. It represents a balanced view of current knowledge of granites, and provides insight into where future problem-solving efforts should be concentrated. This book should be of interest to researchers and advanced students in geology, particularly those studying igneous petrology, plate tectonics, and crustal evolution.

Edition details

• Publisher: Kluwer Academic Publishers
• Publication date: 1993
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0751400807
• ISBN 13: 9780751400809
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 334