Trap Magmatism and Ore Formation in the Siberian Norilsk Region (2 volumes)

However, there are some deficiencies which detract from its usefulness for the geologist who is not familiar with the region or its geology. The different suites are referred to by name – all unfamiliar Russian names with little or no attempt at explaining the spatial or tempoiral relationships among the different suites, though some stratigraphic successions are shown such as in figure 2.29. There are a number of schematic geological maps presented. Figure 1.1 seems to be a map of the whole area, but no scale is shown and there is no key map showing its location in Russia (actually the northern part of central Siberia). Other maps presumably show detailed areas within this, but they also have no scales and there are no key maps showing exactly where they fit into the regional structure. Most of the maps are in colour, and appear to use a standardised colour scheme, but some are black-and-white line drawings. Otherwise, the monograph (both volumes) is copiously illustrated. In volume 1 this mostly takes the form of petrogenetic trend diagrams, with some schematic geological sections. In volume 2 the full-page colour photomicrographs with adjacent mineral analytical data form a very valuable information resource.

There is a very short Conclusions chapter at the end of volume 1, which identifies the potential of volatiles (halogens, hydrocarbons, N, P) in forming Pt-Fe low-sulphide deposits as new exploration targets.

Altogether, this is an essential reference work for anyone working on Traps igneous provinces or on large-scale PGM/nickel ore deposits. Volume 2 alone is a handsome geological coffee-table book. For the more general reader, its usefulness is limited by the difficulty of identifying geographical locations and the interrelationships of the named geological units.