Introducing Tectonics, Rock Structures and Mountain Belts is written
to explain the key concepts of tectonics and rock structures to students
and to the interested non-specialist, especially those without a strong
mathematical background. The study and understanding of geological
structures has traditionally been guided by the rigorous application of
mathematics and physics but, in this book, Graham Park has avoided
mathematical equations altogether and has reduced the geometry to the
minimum necessary. The application of plate tectonic theory has
revolutionised structural geology by giving the study of rock structures
a context in which they can be explained. Since the large-scale
movements of the plates ultimately control smaller-scale structures, the
study of tectonics is the key to understanding the latter. The reader is
thus introduced to large-scale Earth structure and the theory of plate
tectonics before dealing with geological structures such as faults and
folds. Studies by structural geologists of the movement history of rock
masses relative to each other, as revealed by the study of fault systems
and shear zones, has helped to integrate rock structures with plate
tectonics and this has been emphasised in the book. One of the most
exciting aspects of geology is the study of the great mountain ranges,
orogenic belts. The final three chapters of the book explain how
knowledge of plate tectonic theory, geological structures and the
processes of deformation may be employed to understand these orogenic
belts. hilst excessive use of terminology is avoided, all technical
terms are in a Glossary and, as with all books in this series, the text
is illustrated profusely.
