Rifting. Breakup. Kinematics. Dynamics. These four keywords encompass the considerable substance of this compendium of papers, arising from a 2004 international, predominantly academic workshop that addressed the rupture of continents. Rifted continental margin types range from ‘magma-dominated’ to ‘magma-starved’, and this volume targets the latter nearly exclusively, in particular the conjugate Newfoundland-Iberia margins. Magma-starved margins, whether actively extending or long dead, in situ or preserved in mountain belts, offer an opportunity to study lithospheric extension and breakup that complements investigations of magma-dominated divergent margins. The book's introductory chapter, written by the volume's editors, sets the tone for the tome. With eight question marks in the abstract alone, and more than two dozens sprinkled throughout the text, the inquisitive nature of curiosity driven science is manifest. Amidst this sea of questions, the editors begin by describing the rationale for the book. They follow by explaining the volume's structure, which groups contributions by geography (although the Black Sea contribution appears to be misplaced), geological/geophysical constraints, dynamic modelling, kinematic modelling, and fundamental concepts. The ensuing core of the chapter provides helpful synopses of and insightful cross-references for the chapter (papers). The introductory chapter, however, concludes rather abruptly and prematurely; pointing the way(s) forward for future research endeavours would have benefited every reader. Of the volume's 18 original chapters, eight focus primarily on the conjugate Newfoundland-Iberia rifted margins, where the academic community has concentrated much geophysical, drilling and modelling effort over several decades. Other ‘geographic’ chapters examine the Black Sea, Woodlark Basin (Western Pacific Ocean), southern Australia, Red Sea, Alpine Tethys, Eastern Tethys, and Basin and Range. The integration of field observations, both submarine and subaerial, and numerical modelling is a strength of several papers in particular and the volume as a whole, although one is left wondering if physical modelling may still have something to contribute to our understanding of continental rupture. The epitome of the integrated approach and the highlight of the volume for this reader was the chapter comparing the Alpine Tethys and Newfoundland-Iberia margins (Manatschal et al.). Every student of continental rupture should pounce on the opportunity to examine the exposed Alpine Tethys margins, preferably with this chapter's authors as guides. This book is rich in illustrations, with 248 total graphics, many multipart and in colour. Of these, 35 include seismic reflection data, and two are foldouts. The dimensions of the book, 170 × 250 mm, are smaller than those of most journals, and the more detailed illustrations, especially seismic reflection profiles, suffer accordingly. With inclusion of such copious graphics, one sincerely wishes that the editors and other authors had utilized the format of the same publisher's 2005, 1660-page ‘Petroleum Geology: North-West Europe and Global Perspective—Proceedings of the 6th Petroleum Geology’ Conference, with its ∼50 per cent larger printed format (210 × 300 mm), and, more importantly, for its included DVD with all papers, illustrations and movies. It is becoming increasingly clear that geoscientific papers unavailable electronically in pdf form are relegated to obscurity, as few scientists under the age of 35 and an ever-diminishing number over 35 handle carbon-based literature routinely, if at all. I extend a plea to all geoscientific professional societies that publish special books: please make electronic versions available for purchase, either with or without the printed volumes. Now, the ultimate question: should you buy the book? If you want a thorough understanding of the state of academic research and knowledge in the mid-noughties vis-à-vis hyper-extended continental margins, especially Newfoundland-Iberia, development, I am not aware of any comparable volume. The book targets the big fundamental questions, and therefore should appeal to all researchers interested in continental rupture, including both academic and industry scientists. Advanced students should also find the volume interesting, although the £ 100 price tag may make it hard for students to bankroll.
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Millard F. Coffin (2008) studied this question.