The Techniques of Modern Structural Geology, Volume 1: Strain Analyses [Paperback]

John G. Ramsay (Author), Martin I. Huber (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0125769210 | ISBN-13: 978-0125769211 | Publication Date: February 11, 1984 | Edition: 1

This book has grown out of a need to teach fundamental, practical aspects of structural geology to undergraduate and postgraduate students in the earth sciences and they have written to provide a basic text at undergraduate university level. We have tried to assemble a comprehensive account of such basic techniques as could be the foundation of a practical and theoretical course in the analysis of tectonic structures, stress and strain. Volume 1 covers the principles of deformation, and Volume 2 applies these principles specifically to the analysis of folds and fractures.

Key Features
* Provides a unique practical introduction to structural geology for students
* Uses over 220 clear line figures
* Lavishly illustrated throughout with 107 high quality photographs showing features of naturally deformed rocks over a range of scale-aerial photographs, field photographs and photomicrographs
* Starts each session with the formulation of a problem and presentation of any essential background or necessary mathematical techniques
* Gives graded problems with solutions fully discussed in the text drawing out key features of the methods used
* Provides 22 working diagrams for use is problem solving

Editorial Reviews

Review

" All structural geologists should have a copy of this book on their shelf."
--MODERN GEOLOGY
"Impressive features of this book are its thoughtful and meticulous compilation, the effort to use real rather than artificial examples where possible, the clarity and beauty of the plates, and the generally high standard of production. Ramsey and Huber's book deserves to be widely used."
--Geological Magazine
"There is an increasing need for keen professional geologists to be able to keep themselves up-to-date with advances in their subject.  This basic text attempts to help this process being written in the style of what could be described as either a teach-yourself manual, or what might be the program of a future teaching machine.  It is thus presented as a series of excercises of increasing complexity each designed to help the reader to understand a particular concept or technique of strain analysis. The fundamentals of the subject are distilled to elegantly few general equations in fifteen pages of appendices at the back.  There are many beautiful photographs of porphyroblasts and their strain shadows, the vein arrays developed in shear zones and the folds or boudins such veins can develop.  Like the medical profession structural geologists are successful only when they can remove the symptoms (strains) which their subjects have suffered as a result of stress - and this manual shows us how to start this proceedure."
--Geol.foreningens Stockholm forhandlingar, 1986
"This book is a well written, comprehensive treatment of strain analysis... What makes the book so valuable is the use of real geological examples throughout. The book is appropriate for a graduate or advanced undergraduate structure course but can also be used by professional geologists or graduate students for a self-taught course in strain analysis.  For instructors, the book is structured for maximum flexibility and usefulness.  The usefulness of this volume is extended by the definitions of key words at the end of each session, and by the appendices, which contain mathematical proofs of formulae used in the book.  Ramsay and Huber are to be congratulated for producing an excellent text that will greatly simplify the teaching of a difficult subject.  GSA's Division of Structural Geology and Tectonics has awarded this book its Best Paper Award, and it is clearly deserving of such an honour."
--Geology, 1985
"Mathematical arguments are presented in a logical, easy to follow, step-by-step fashion.  The book is endowed with numerous helpful graphs and sketches, and with photographs that clearly illustrate the intended strain phenomena."
--Earth Science Reviews, 1986
"It is an excellent text for a senior undergraduate course.  Any field geologist working in deformed terrain ought to have a copy of Strain Analysis.  If I were marooned on a desert island (with plenty of exposures of deformed rocks) and could take only one geology book, I would choose Strain Analysis."  
--Geoscience Canada, 1985
"Most readers will welcome the clear, up-to-date well structured nature of this volume and the size and clarity of the illustrations.  One is immediately impressed by the high quality of the photographs and line diagrams; more detailed examination shows them to be well chosen, carefully drafted and concisely described.  The whole organisation of the book allows a great deal of self instruction and appraisal, and I suspect most structural geologists would benefit, as I did, from working through the examples.  This book is one which will be widely used and will have an influence on the teaching of structural geology.  It is a well produced and authoritative book in an area generally lacking in such texts."
--Journal of Structural Geology, 1985

From the Back Cover

The unique approach to the investigation of tectonic structures renders this book invaluable as a first substantial text for structural geology courses.

Product Details

• Paperback: 307 pages
• Publisher: Academic Press; 1 edition (February 11, 1984)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0125769210
• ISBN-13: 978-0125769211
• Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 8.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,263,303 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How to evaluate strain in rocks, July 12, 2010

By 

Herman Jackson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Techniques of Modern Structural Geology, Volume 1: Strain Analyses (Paperback)

John Ramsay has pioneered development and application of quantitative determination of strain in deformed rocks. This book is essentially a laboratory manual designed for use in an advanced course in strain analysis of rocks.

The book is apparently out of print, and like its companion volumes comes at a rather high price. However, if you are a serious student of structural geology (grad. student or researcher) you should have a copy. If you teach structural geology at any level you should have access to a copy. Although the contents are copyrighted, perusal should provide a multitude of ideas leading to similar exercises for your own courses.

Like John's other books, this is a "must have."

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Structural Geologists, Buy This Book!, May 16, 2002

By 

Maitri E (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Techniques of Modern Structural Geology, Volume 1: Strain Analyses (Paperback)

Strain is the crux of structural geology. This is a great book for the application of strain theory to rocks. Gives techniques for strain measurement in the field as well as classroom activities during teaching. Get it!