This lively introduction to geologic fracture mechanics provides a consistent treatment of all common types of geologic structural discontinuities. It explores the formation, growth, and interpretation of fractures and deformation bands, from theoretical, field, and laboratory-based perspectives, bridging the gap between a general textbook treatment and the more advanced research literature. It allows the reader to acquire basic tools to interpret discontinuity origins, geometries, patterns, and implications using many of the leading and contemporary concepts known to specialists in the field. Exercises are provided at the end of each chapter, and worked examples are included within each chapter to illustrate topics and enable self-study. With all common geologic structures including joints, hydrofractures, faults, stylolites, and deformation bands being discussed from a fresh perspective, it will be a useful reference for advanced students, researchers, and industry practitioners interested in structural geology, neotectonics, rock mechanics, planetary geology, and reservoir geomechanics. <...>