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Pyroclastic Rocks
294
Pyroclastic Rocks. R.V. Fisher and H.-U. Schmincke. Springer, Berlin, 1984, xiv + 472 pp., DM 138.00/approx. US $54.10 (Hardcover). As pointed out by Fisher and Schmincke in their Introduction, the study of pyroclastic rocks is interdisciplinary, bringing together both "hard-rock" and "softrock" geologists--as evidenced by the fact that an igneous petrologist is writing this review for a sedimentary journal. To write a book covering most aspects of such a broad subject, yet detailed enough to be useful to the varied specialists in the field, is a considerable challenge. The authors have succeeded; this book will be useful as a text for a graduate course on the topic, or as a supplementary text in an igneous petrology, volcanology, or sedimentary petrology course, and also as an invaluable reference book for any geologist working in areas which include pyroclastic materials. The references include some for 1984, and have the useful feature of including with each the chapter in which it is cited. Detailed subject and locality indices are provided. The book is well illustrated with clear line drawings and black and white photographs; many of the latter show details of rocks at the outcrop scale. A brief introductory chapter emphasizes the importance of volcanogenic materials in the stratigraphic record and the difficulty of their chemical characterization, and summarizes the types of pyroclastic accummulations. Chapters 2 to 4 are concerned mainly with igneous petrology and would probably be more useful to the sedimentologist than the igneous specialist. Chapter 2 provides an overview (necessarily simplified) of tectonic setting, form, and classification of volcanic rocks in general, and relates these to the nature of magma chambers; Chapter 3 is concerned with the role of volatiles and magma rheology in eruptive processes and Chapter 4 describes in more detail the various types of eruptive systems. Chapter 5 is a summary description of the particles, structures, and textures in pyroclastic deposits. Chapter 6 through 11 deal individually with specific types of deposits, including subaerial fallout tephra, submarine fallout tephra, pyroclastic flow deposits, deposits of hydroclastic eruptions, submarine volcaniclastic rocks, and lahars. In my opinion, the assembly of this material from many sources is the most important contribution of this book. Unfortunately there is no single summary diagram to enable the reader to determine readily with which type of deposit he/she is working. Chapter 12 describes post-eruptive alteration of tephra; Chapter 13 deals with "Stratigraphic Problems" and covers a variety of topics including stratigraphic nomenclature, correlation, and facies models, and cites examples of stratigraphic studies in both modern and ancient environments. The final chapter describes tectonic environments of pyroclastic deposits, using specific examples as models. In conclusion, I would recommend this book as good value for both the generalist and specialist. S.M. BARR(Wolfville,N.S.)
Pyroclastic Rocks. R.V. Fisher and H.-U. Schmincke. Springer, Berlin, 1984, xiv + 472 pp., DM 138.00/approx. US $54.10 (Hardcover). As pointed out by Fisher and Schmincke in their Introduction, the study of pyroclastic rocks is interdisciplinary, bringing together both "hard-rock" and "softrock" geologists--as evidenced by the fact that an igneous petrologist is writing this review for a sedimentary journal. To write a book covering most aspects of such a broad subject, yet detailed enough to be useful to the varied specialists in the field, is a considerable challenge. The authors have succeeded; this book will be useful as a text for a graduate course on the topic, or as a supplementary text in an igneous petrology, volcanology, or sedimentary petrology course, and also as an invaluable reference book for any geologist working in areas which include pyroclastic materials. The references include some for 1984, and have the useful feature of including with each the chapter in which it is cited. Detailed subject and locality indices are provided. The book is well illustrated with clear line drawings and black and white photographs; many of the latter show details of rocks at the outcrop scale. A brief introductory chapter emphasizes the importance of volcanogenic materials in the stratigraphic record and the difficulty of their chemical characterization, and summarizes the types of pyroclastic accummulations. Chapters 2 to 4 are concerned mainly with igneous petrology and would probably be more useful to the sedimentologist than the igneous specialist. Chapter 2 provides an overview (necessarily simplified) of tectonic setting, form, and classification of volcanic rocks in general, and relates these to the nature of magma chambers; Chapter 3 is concerned with the role of volatiles and magma rheology in eruptive processes and Chapter 4 describes in more detail the various types of eruptive systems. Chapter 5 is a summary description of the particles, structures, and textures in pyroclastic deposits. Chapter 6 through 11 deal individually with specific types of deposits, including subaerial fallout tephra, submarine fallout tephra, pyroclastic flow deposits, deposits of hydroclastic eruptions, submarine volcaniclastic rocks, and lahars. In my opinion, the assembly of this material from many sources is the most important contribution of this book. Unfortunately there is no single summary diagram to enable the reader to determine readily with which type of deposit he/she is working. Chapter 12 describes post-eruptive alteration of tephra; Chapter 13 deals with "Stratigraphic Problems" and covers a variety of topics including stratigraphic nomenclature, correlation, and facies models, and cites examples of stratigraphic studies in both modern and ancient environments. The final chapter describes tectonic environments of pyroclastic deposits, using specific examples as models. In conclusion, I would recommend this book as good value for both the generalist and specialist. S.M. BARR(Wolfville,N.S.)