Fundamentals of Structural Geology provides a new framework for the investigation of geological structures by integrating field mapping and mechanical analysis. Assuming a basic knowledge of physical geology, introductory calculus and physics, it emphasizes the observational data, modern mapping technology, principles of continuum mechanics, and the mathematical and computational skills, necessary to quantitatively map, describe, model, and explain deformation in Earth's lithosphere. By starting from the fundamental conservation laws of mass and momentum, the constitutive laws of material behavior, and the kinematic relationships for strain and rate of deformation, the authors demonstrate the relevance of solid and fluid mechanics to structural geology. This book offers a modern quantitative approach to structural geology for advanced students and researchers in structural geology and tectonics. It is supported by a website hosting images from the book, additional colour images, student exercises and MATLAB scripts. Solutions to the exercises are available to instructors.

David Pollard is the Morris Professor of Earth Sciences at Stanford University.

1. Motivations and opportunities; 2. Structural mapping techniques and tools; 3. Characterizing structures using differential geometry; 4. Physical quantities, fields, dimensions and scaling; 5. Deformation and flow; 6. Force, traction and stress; 7. Conservation of mass and momentum; 8. Elastic deformation; 9. Brittle behavior; 10. Viscous flow; 11. Rheological behavior; 12. Model development and methodology; Index.