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Review of Short Course in Granitic Pegmatites in Science and Industry
Georhrmico n
Cosmochrmtca Ano Vol. 47, pp. 145 Q Pergamon Pxs Ltd. 1983. Printed in U.S.A.
BOOK REVIEWS
Review of Short Course in Granitic P~tites in Science and industry fed. P. Ccrny), Mineralogical Association of Canada, 1982, 555 p., $15.00 Cdn. AS ITS TITLE suggests, this book is the ‘hard copy’ resulting from a short course sponsored by the Mineralogical Association of Canada in May, 1982. Eighteen authors contributed to the 2 1 chapters, which cover virtually all aspects of pegmatite geology, including classification, petrogenesis, mineralogy, stable- and Sr-isotope geochemistry, exploration. mineral processing. field aspects, and descriptions of several specific pegmatite bodies. As expected of a compilation of separately-authored chapters, the level of the book (and the quality of writing) is highly variable; this is not, however. an obvious short-coming in a volume that is comprehensive enough to fill the dual role of educating nonexperts (like myself) and serving as an up-to-date desktop reference for geologists already well-versed in the intricacies of pegmatites. I was particularly impressed with the two cogent and readable summaries by P. C.Xm$ on pegmatite anatomy and classification and on petrogenesis, as well as the chapter by F. Longst&e on stable isotopes. The treatment of pegmatite mineralogy is especially thorough, encompassing nine chapters and 247 pages, and enabling the book to stand on its own as a comprehensive reference on pegmatite mineralogy. The common rock-forming minerals
Igneous Rocks of tbe British Isles. Edited by D. S. Sutherland. Wiley, 1982, 645 p., ES5 THIS BOOK has the ambitious aim of describing all igneous rocks of the British Isles and thus to fill a gap in the region& geological literature, as Dr. Sutherland points out in her editorial preface. It is divided into seven parts following a roughly chronological order. Each part comprises several chapters written by specigiists in the subject, the first chapter being an introduction to the section. The lirst part (3 chapters) deals with igneous rocks of the Precambrian. After an introduction “Britain in the Precambrian,” LewiGn igneous rocks, followed by various other Precambrian igneous rocks of E&and, Wales and Ireland are described. The second part is devoted to Lower Palaeozoic volcanic rocks in different parts of the British Isles (6 chapters). Dalradian volcanics in Scotland and Ireland are treated in this part and not in the Precambrian, as at least Upper Dalradian rocks are of Cambrian age. Descriptions of Lower Palaeozoic intrusive rocks including basic plutons, granite batholiths and alkaline intrusions are grouped in part 3 (5 chapters). This division into two parts of Caledonian magmatic activity may seem arbitrary and a little disturbing to some geologists, however well founded it may be from a purely petrographical point of view. The same division between extrusive and intrusive rocks obtains also for Upper Palaeozoic igneous activity linked with the Hercynian erogenic cycle. Part 4 deals with Devonian and Carboniferous volcanics (5 chapters) and part 5 with intrusive rocks, mostly Hercynian granites. This part has 4 chapters, the two last ones, by C. S. Exley and M. Stone, dealing respectively with late stage phenomena (tourmalinisation, greisenisation) and petrogenesis. One must applaud the idea of adding these two chapters of a less descriptive type, especially the one on late stage phenomena as these have a direct relationship with the mineral deposits of SW England.
are addressed in separate chapters on ‘Quartz and Felw (R. F. Martin) and ‘The Mica Group’ (F. C. Hawthorne and P. C&m$), whiie the less abundant minerals are classified and discussed according to their relatively rare chemical constituents, e.g. ‘Minerals of Beryllium’ (D. M. Burt) and ‘Pegmatite Minerals of P (V) and B (III)’ (P. B. Moore). The individual chapters are successful to differing degrees at interrelating mineral assemblages and pegmatite genesis, but taken together they complement the chapters on petrogenesis and geochemistry of granitic pegmatites very well. Like most short course handbooks, this volume was pr+ duced from camera-ready copy; the final product is co&s tent, readily legible, and gene&y well proofread (especially considering the myriad of complex mineral formulae it contains). As noted in the editor’s preface, pegmatites have been “underprivileged” rocks in North American textbooks on petrology, geochemistry, and economic geology. The publication of this short course volume represents a major step toward their proper recognition. It should prove to be an invaluable reference as well as an inspiring puree book for graduate-level studies in economic geology and petrology. Department of Geology Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy, New York 12181 U.S.A.
E. Bruce Watson
Part 6 devoted to &eons activity in the Iate Paiaeozoic and Mesozoic is of course quite short (3 chaptm) as this period is one of low magmatic activity in Western Europe. The British Tertiary Province is the subject of part 7, the largest of all, with 8 chapters devoted to the di%rent facets of this Province which has played so important a part in the development of igneous petrology and palaeovol~anology. Volcanic rocks, basic and acid intrusives, subvolcanic dyke swarms and generation of magmas are dealt with in authoritative synthetic reviews. Three appendices compiete the book. Appendix A offers a summary of the petrogmphy of British igneous rocks with numerous drawings of thin sections. Appendix B lists chemical analyses of selected rocks inck~Gng major and trace elements and norms. In Appendix C geochronological data from the Precambrian to the Tertiary are tabulated. This book is really excellent; of course, chapters vary in style, content and size but this is to be expected in such a type of work. Generally the various aspects including petrochemistry of each group of rocks are discussed. Due regard is given to relationship between igneous activity and plate tectonics considerations. nl~tions are of a high standard inchzding maps and sketches, diagrams, photogmphs, many tables. The references are numerous and up to date. The list of contributors with their addresses is an ex&ient idea. This is a book that will be useful to every petrologist and not only petrologists in& in British igneous rocks. Unfortunately it is highly priced and probably few can afford a personal copy. A less luxurious edition in paperback fom would be very weicome.
Inst. Mi&alogie de L’UniversitP 13 Rue des Maraichers 1211 GenPve 4 Switzerland 145
Marc Vuagnat
Cosmochrmtca Ano Vol. 47, pp. 145 Q Pergamon Pxs Ltd. 1983. Printed in U.S.A.
BOOK REVIEWS
Review of Short Course in Granitic P~tites in Science and industry fed. P. Ccrny), Mineralogical Association of Canada, 1982, 555 p., $15.00 Cdn. AS ITS TITLE suggests, this book is the ‘hard copy’ resulting from a short course sponsored by the Mineralogical Association of Canada in May, 1982. Eighteen authors contributed to the 2 1 chapters, which cover virtually all aspects of pegmatite geology, including classification, petrogenesis, mineralogy, stable- and Sr-isotope geochemistry, exploration. mineral processing. field aspects, and descriptions of several specific pegmatite bodies. As expected of a compilation of separately-authored chapters, the level of the book (and the quality of writing) is highly variable; this is not, however. an obvious short-coming in a volume that is comprehensive enough to fill the dual role of educating nonexperts (like myself) and serving as an up-to-date desktop reference for geologists already well-versed in the intricacies of pegmatites. I was particularly impressed with the two cogent and readable summaries by P. C.Xm$ on pegmatite anatomy and classification and on petrogenesis, as well as the chapter by F. Longst&e on stable isotopes. The treatment of pegmatite mineralogy is especially thorough, encompassing nine chapters and 247 pages, and enabling the book to stand on its own as a comprehensive reference on pegmatite mineralogy. The common rock-forming minerals
Igneous Rocks of tbe British Isles. Edited by D. S. Sutherland. Wiley, 1982, 645 p., ES5 THIS BOOK has the ambitious aim of describing all igneous rocks of the British Isles and thus to fill a gap in the region& geological literature, as Dr. Sutherland points out in her editorial preface. It is divided into seven parts following a roughly chronological order. Each part comprises several chapters written by specigiists in the subject, the first chapter being an introduction to the section. The lirst part (3 chapters) deals with igneous rocks of the Precambrian. After an introduction “Britain in the Precambrian,” LewiGn igneous rocks, followed by various other Precambrian igneous rocks of E&and, Wales and Ireland are described. The second part is devoted to Lower Palaeozoic volcanic rocks in different parts of the British Isles (6 chapters). Dalradian volcanics in Scotland and Ireland are treated in this part and not in the Precambrian, as at least Upper Dalradian rocks are of Cambrian age. Descriptions of Lower Palaeozoic intrusive rocks including basic plutons, granite batholiths and alkaline intrusions are grouped in part 3 (5 chapters). This division into two parts of Caledonian magmatic activity may seem arbitrary and a little disturbing to some geologists, however well founded it may be from a purely petrographical point of view. The same division between extrusive and intrusive rocks obtains also for Upper Palaeozoic igneous activity linked with the Hercynian erogenic cycle. Part 4 deals with Devonian and Carboniferous volcanics (5 chapters) and part 5 with intrusive rocks, mostly Hercynian granites. This part has 4 chapters, the two last ones, by C. S. Exley and M. Stone, dealing respectively with late stage phenomena (tourmalinisation, greisenisation) and petrogenesis. One must applaud the idea of adding these two chapters of a less descriptive type, especially the one on late stage phenomena as these have a direct relationship with the mineral deposits of SW England.
are addressed in separate chapters on ‘Quartz and Felw (R. F. Martin) and ‘The Mica Group’ (F. C. Hawthorne and P. C&m$), whiie the less abundant minerals are classified and discussed according to their relatively rare chemical constituents, e.g. ‘Minerals of Beryllium’ (D. M. Burt) and ‘Pegmatite Minerals of P (V) and B (III)’ (P. B. Moore). The individual chapters are successful to differing degrees at interrelating mineral assemblages and pegmatite genesis, but taken together they complement the chapters on petrogenesis and geochemistry of granitic pegmatites very well. Like most short course handbooks, this volume was pr+ duced from camera-ready copy; the final product is co&s tent, readily legible, and gene&y well proofread (especially considering the myriad of complex mineral formulae it contains). As noted in the editor’s preface, pegmatites have been “underprivileged” rocks in North American textbooks on petrology, geochemistry, and economic geology. The publication of this short course volume represents a major step toward their proper recognition. It should prove to be an invaluable reference as well as an inspiring puree book for graduate-level studies in economic geology and petrology. Department of Geology Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy, New York 12181 U.S.A.
E. Bruce Watson
Part 6 devoted to &eons activity in the Iate Paiaeozoic and Mesozoic is of course quite short (3 chaptm) as this period is one of low magmatic activity in Western Europe. The British Tertiary Province is the subject of part 7, the largest of all, with 8 chapters devoted to the di%rent facets of this Province which has played so important a part in the development of igneous petrology and palaeovol~anology. Volcanic rocks, basic and acid intrusives, subvolcanic dyke swarms and generation of magmas are dealt with in authoritative synthetic reviews. Three appendices compiete the book. Appendix A offers a summary of the petrogmphy of British igneous rocks with numerous drawings of thin sections. Appendix B lists chemical analyses of selected rocks inck~Gng major and trace elements and norms. In Appendix C geochronological data from the Precambrian to the Tertiary are tabulated. This book is really excellent; of course, chapters vary in style, content and size but this is to be expected in such a type of work. Generally the various aspects including petrochemistry of each group of rocks are discussed. Due regard is given to relationship between igneous activity and plate tectonics considerations. nl~tions are of a high standard inchzding maps and sketches, diagrams, photogmphs, many tables. The references are numerous and up to date. The list of contributors with their addresses is an ex&ient idea. This is a book that will be useful to every petrologist and not only petrologists in& in British igneous rocks. Unfortunately it is highly priced and probably few can afford a personal copy. A less luxurious edition in paperback fom would be very weicome.
Inst. Mi&alogie de L’UniversitP 13 Rue des Maraichers 1211 GenPve 4 Switzerland 145
Marc Vuagnat