Anorthosites
By: by Lewis D. Ashwal
Series: Minerals and Rocks -- 21; Minerals and rocks -- 21.
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published: 1993
Place of publication: Berlin, Heidelberg
Language: eng
Format: [electronic resource] /
Number of pages: 422
ISBN-13: 9783642774423; 9783642774409
Subjects: Mineralogy; Crystallography; Geology; Physical organic chemistry; Surfaces (Physics); Chemistry; Physical geography
Description: The origin of anorthosites is a major unsolved petrogenetic problem in igneous petrology. For most of the numerous types of anorthosite that occur on Earth (and on other planets as well), we cannot agree as to their parental magma composi- tions, the sources and methods of generation of these mag- mas, the mechanism of plagioclase accumulation, or their tectonic setting. This book represents the only comprehensi- ve review of what is known and unknown about all anorthosite types, both terrestrial and extraterrestrial. Descriptive, interpretative, and speculative information is given for all types of anorthosite, including therecently discovered an- orthositic meteorites from the Moon. The book is generously illustrated, with photographs and diagrams at all scales fromphotomicrographs to satellite imagery. There are ex- haustive tabulations ofterrestrial anorthosite occurrences, giving their important attributes. A final chapter contains a synthesis of current knowledge and thinking on anorthosi- tes in general, some speculations on their significance in Earth and planetary history, and suggestions for future re- search. This book will be an essential source not only for those active in anorthosite studies, but also for resear- chers and students interested in the broader aspects of Earth and planetary history.
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