Petrology: The Study of Igneous, Sedimentary and Metamorphic Rocks

Petrology--the study of the nature, composition, origin, and history of rocks--is central to understanding Earth history. As students of the planet Earth, every geologist must have a solid foundation in petrology, regardless of specialization or interest. Raymond lays this foundation by articulating the textures, structures, mineralogy, chemistry, and classification for each class of rocks--igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary. That background then leads to discussions of representative occurrences and petrogenesis. Plate tectonics is discussed from the very beginning and incorporated wherever petrogenesis is discussed in the book. The text is designed for the undergraduate geology major's first course in petrology. Reflecting students' needs, Raymond's presentation is uncluttered, well organized, and readable. He presents petrology as a vibrant, evolving discipline both by providing conflicting points of view to make contemporary theory more meaningful and by discussing the historical development of petrological ideas. Also available from Waveland Press by Loren A. Raymond: Raymond-Johnson, Crustal Earth Materials (ISBN 9781478632634) and Petrography Laboratory Manual: Handspecimen and Thin Section Petrography, Third Edition (ISBN 9781577666653) Title of related interest also available from Waveland Press: Philpotts, Petrography of Igneous and Metamorphic Rocks (ISBN 9781577662952).