Geological Structures: a Practical Introduction

Reviewed by Henry Agbogun, Assistant Professor, Fort Hays State University on 5/3/21

Comprehensiveness rating: 3 see less

This books covers basic topics in Structural Geology with very good examples of material and processes to enhance comprehension. The book is missing a section focused solely on the behaviors of rocks when subjected to stress as a function of various environments factors. It would have been great to see a capstone chapter discussing the tectonic history a selected region in details. This type of chapter will provide readers with an opportunity to see the overall incorporation of separately discussed topics into one theme to buttress the interrelationships between the various topics.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

Subjects in this book have been accurately presented and discussed without preferences and preconceptions.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 4

This book starts with basic concepts, processes, and materials which represent the building block to understanding the behaviors of rocks when subjected to stress. These fundamental concepts are universal and applicable in advance structural geology. While online resources in the area of stereographic projection is mentioned, it would have been more beneficial if it had been elaborated on in greater details. This is because students are increasingly having to learn a great deal virtually, and are more dependent on various types of apps for learning activities.

Clarity rating: 5

Concepts, processes and materials have been succinctly presented and discussed throughout this book.

Consistency rating: 5

The terminologies, conventions and units used in this books are consistent and are maintained throughout.

Modularity rating: 3

The subsections within each section are not listed in the table of content, neither have they been listed at the beginning of sections. This presents a challenge for readers as they are unable to plan what to read without reading through the whole book or section. The subsections have also not been numbered, thereby presenting a difficulty to readers in organizing how and where to read or in locating particular subsections in the book.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 3

The sections and subsections in this book follow a logical progression with each being very concise. However, a section discussing the responses of rocks to stress should have been included and discussed before the discussion on Folds.

Interface rating: 2

The table of content is not elaborate and detailed enough to include subsections. The sections and subsections are not labeled appropriately, this presents navigational issues in locating topics without going through the whole book. A couple of images are also not very clear either due to the quality or resolution of the pictures used.

Grammatical Errors rating: 4

This is an easy to read book with the use of simple sentences and appropriate grammar.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

This book is not culturally offensive and examples of geological formations and features have been presented from different parts of the world.

Comments

This is a well written book missing two important sections already pointed out. The table of content will benefit from the inclusion of subsections that are appropriately and sequentially labeled or numbered to enable easy navigation by readers. The laboratory exercises in this book of particular very useful in introducing students to techniques in structural geology.