Mylonites form in response to high rates of strain within deep ductile shear zones, which are the extensions at depth of surface faults, thrusts and fault breccias, They can have many different mineralogical compositions and are therefore defined on their textural appearance. This atlas provides high definition images of a large number of different mylonites allowing students and geologists to correctly classify them with greater ease. It also provides insights into the interpretation of mylonitic fabrics to answer questions such as; from what type of rock did this mylonite derive? What were the metamorphic circumstances during mylonitization? What was the intensity of deformation?, and What was the sense of shear? This book will complement the very successful textbook "Microtectonics" by Passchier and Trouw.

Features 135 splendid color photographs, ranges from vast rock-landscapes recorded in Europe, America, Australia, and Iceland right down to finely detailed images of a few square millimeters. Close-ups of crystals, gems, and fossils are alternated with micro-images of the minute textures and patterns that emerge from thin, translucent sections of rocks and minerals. Literally, as well as figuratively Dirk Wiersma, the photographer, zooms in` on the subject matter, leading the reader deeper into various spaces of surprising new forms and perspectives, at times abstract, at other times (pseudo)realistic. Brief accompanying texts are written in a style that is accessible and appealing to a general audience, while also providing the necessary factual information.