This new edition synthesizes the methods used in microfacies analysis and details the potential of microfacies in evaluating depositional environments and diagenetic history, and, in particular, the application of microfacies data in the study of carbonate hydrocarbon reservoirs and the provenance of archaeological materials. Intensively updated instructive plates are showing thin-section photographs with detailed explanations form a central part of the content. The book is a useful base for teaching-learning and includes detailed captions for hundreds of microphotographs, boxed summaries of technical terms, many case studies, guidelines for the determination and evaluation of microfacies criteria. It furthermore provides self-testing exercises for recognition and characterization skills.