Serpentinites: Recorders of Tectonic and Petrological History (Oxford Monographs on Geology and Geophysics)

Serpentinites, a major source of both ornamental facing stone in architecture and asbestos, are considered enigmatic rocks due to their apparent complexity. Yet studying serpentinites and the processes that form them is essential to understanding the formations in the Earth's tectonic plates. This book presents the geological history of serpentinites, from detailed descriptions and photographs in outcrop and under the microscope, to models describing the distribution of serpentine minerals and the formation of chrysotile-asbestos deposits. Students pursuing research topics in serpentinites or Earth scientists investigating tectonic processes in mid-ocean ridges will find this a useful reference book.