Melanges: Processes of Formation and Societal Significance

Mélanges are among the most important components of orogenic belts, and they give insights into the mode, nature, and physical conditions of those geological processes involved in plate margin evolution and orogenic belt development. They comprise blocks of varied lithologies and origins, commonly embedded in an argillitic, sandy, or serpentinite matrix. Beyond their scientific intrigue and importance, mélanges also have societal significance, because most engineering projects and studies have failed to adequately characterize their chaotic structure. The chapters in this volume highlight the richness and variety of recent research on mélanges that employs new methodology, approaches, and interpretations, which emerged in the 27 years following the 1984 publication of the benchmark GSA Special Paper 198 on mélanges. In addition to featuring new directions in interdisciplinary research on mélanges, this volume is truly international, both in terms of the nationality of the authors and the geographic coverage of the reported mélange studies