Techniques of Modern Structural Geology Volume 3 is available to be downloaded here now.
- Title: Techniques of Modern Structural Geology Volume 3 Application of Continuum Mechanics of Structural Geology
- Author: John G. Ramsay , Martin I. Huber
- Publisher: Elsevier Science
- Pages: 375
The key phrase that describes the work is ‘‘Applications in Structural Geology’’ since it is exclusively concerned with the problems of geological deformation at micro- to macro-scale. As such, it is one of the first texts to comprehensively explore the use of continuum mechanics in this field and has little overlap with standard classical works, which are mostly concerned with engineering and geomechanics applications. The book is essentially about understanding structures through models, chiefly ductile flow structures, though also brittle and semi-brittle ones. Models are constantly compared with and often inspired by a diverse range of well-illustrated natural structures.
However, the writers frequently remind us of the limitations of a purely model-driven approach, which underscores their philosophy that there is at least as much to learn from careful examination of nature as there is from model theory. Volume 3 maintains the unpretentious, even anti-jargon, writing style of the earlier volumes. This will be a bonus for readers with little previous background in the theory, considering that continuum mechanics is a subject often shrouded by its own specialist nomenclature. Readers who are more familiar with the general subject matter will notice several new topics or ones not discussed to the same extent in a textbook before.
Banded structures, strain in superposed folds and the idea of flow sheets are just some examples. Recognition of separate strains for first- and second-generation superposed structures—a problem at the heart of many field studies—is a further welcome addition in this volume. The book is primarily concerned with techniques and guidance on how to apply them. It is thus best suited to a foundation study in structural geology mechanical modelling or as a sourcebook for mathematical models. Because of this approach, it does not attempt to set out the results of previous studies in a systematic way.