This chapter introduces rocks and petrology, the science that attempts to explain the origin and distribution of rocks. Rocks are the solid material constituting the Earth, and it is essential to know what composition the planet has. We begin with a brief review of the planetary formation process and how it determined the Earth’s composition and major divisions into core and mantle.

Over the past two decades, many curriculum changes have occurred in geology, Earth science, and environmental science programs in universities. Many of these have involved the compression of separate one-semester courses in mineralogy, optical mineralogy, and petrology into a single-semester offering that combines mineralogy and petrology, commonly called Earth Materials.

Over the past two decades, many curriculum changes have occurred in geology, Earth science, and environmental science programs in universities. Many of these have involved the compression of separate one-semester courses in mineralogy, optical mineralogy, and petrology into a singlesemester offering that combines mineralogy and petrology, commonly called Earth Materials. Such a course is a challenge to the instructor (or a team of instructors) and the students. This is especially so when few, if any, textbooks for such a one-semester course have been available.

The fundamental concepts of mineralogy and petrology are explained in this highly illustrated, full-color textbook, to create a concise overview for students studying Earth materials. The relationship between minerals and rocks and how they relate to the broader Earth, materials, and environmental sciences is interwoven throughout. Beautiful photos of specimens and CrystalViewer’s three-dimensional illustrations allow students to easily visualize minerals, rocks, and crystal structures.

The second edition of Principles of Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology follows the same general approach as the first edition. The book is designed to introduce igneous and metamorphic petrology to those who have completed introductory college-level courses in physics, chemistry, and calculus. Its emphasis is on principles and understanding rather than on facts and memorization. With this approach, it is hoped that students will not only gain a sound understanding of petrology but will develop skills that can be applied to the analysis of problems in many other fields of Earth Science. <...>

Petrography of igneous end Metamorphic Rxks is designed for students taking their first course in petrography. It combines, in a single book, a compilation of the optica) properties of the common rock-forming m nerals. descriptions of the textures and structures of igneous and metamorphic rocks, and a treatment of the classification of these rocks. The book deals with the description of rocks, not their origins. The coverage is not exhaustive and is limited to what students are likely to encounter and need to know in an introductory petrography course. The material is organized so as to make it as rapidly accessible as possible, for those who have not previously had a course in optical mineralogy. Chapter 2 briefly introduces this subject.