Encyclopedia of Earth sciences. The encyclopedia of igneous and metamorphic petrology / Энциклопедия наук о Земле. Энциклопедия магматической и метаморфической петрологии

The concept of Rhodes W. Fairbridge of a series of reference works, not only for earth scientists, but also for those of other disciplines wishing ready access to information about the earth sciences, has resulted in the Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences. This now fulfils an important function in the libraries of both institutions and_ individuals. As was the case for previous volumes, contributors to this volume have been asked to include not only background information for those not expert in the particular field, but also data and a bibliography that permit the various aspects of the topic to be followed up. The overall aim has been to compile a volume acceptable to experts, such as the contributors themselves, but that makes information readily accessible to earth scientists with other backgrounds, scientists from other disciplines and the large body of people outwith the scientific professions who are interested in the Earth. Petrologists working in the field of igneous petrology particularly, and in metamorphic petrology also, know of the huge vocabulary of rock names, many of which are variants of common _ rock assemblages that are given local names. There is little doubt that such proliferation of terms has been a major factor inhibiting communication in the earth sciences. It is hoped that the extensive index together with sections on Other terms incorporated in entries about major rock types, will assist in making information about the less well known, obscure and even obsolete terms that occur in literature, readily accessible. In no way, however, should the inclusion of a term in this volume be taken as an assessment of its value, or an endorsement of its continued use. The AG/ Glossary indicates those terms considered to be obsolete and gives recommendations concerning continued use, or otherwise, of terms, although that is obscure to some earth scientists in one part of the world is commonly used by other earth scientists in other parts of the world. More than one hundred contributors from eighteen countries have contributed to this volume. Such an _ international representation is essential for the best possible presentation, but it also brings out the varying usage and even spelling of terms. There will be no earth scientist who makes reference to this volume who will find that everything corresponds with his or her own usage. However it is hoped that the various backgrounds represented will assist in making the enormous range of earth science literature more easily accessible and more intelligible to scientists worldwide.

Integrating the various contributions into a unified whole has been a major task, and the help of my wife in this has been invaluable as has been her patience in proof reading and indexing. Many articles have greatly benefited from the expertise of Dr Adrian F. Park who, while at the University of Glasgow, undertook the major task of adding much recent information. Others at the Department of Geology, University of Glasgow, who have made major contributions to the compiling of this work are Professor Bernard E. Leake, Mrs Sheila Hall (drafting), Mr Douglas Maclean (photography) and Mrs Mary Fortune, who with great expertise and patience has typed, and retyped, major sections of the volume and assisted in the voluminous correspondence and day to day administration. <...>