Physics of the Earth
Cambridge University Press
Edition: 4, 8/28/2008
EAN 9780521873628, ISBN10: 0521873622
Hardcover, 548 pages, 25.4 x 19.7 x 3.2 cm
Language: English
Originally published in English
The fourth edition of Physics of the Earth maintains the original philosophy of this classic graduate textbook on fundamental solid earth geophysics, while being completely revised, updated, and restructured into a more modular format to make individual topics even more accessible. Building on the success of previous editions, which have served generations of students and researchers for nearly forty years, this new edition will be an invaluable resource for graduate students looking for the necessary physical and mathematical foundations to embark on their own research careers in geophysics. Several completely new chapters have been added and a series of appendices, presenting fundamental data and advanced mathematical concepts, and an extensive reference list, are provided as tools to aid readers wishing to pursue topics beyond the level of the book. Over 140 student exercises of varying levels of difficulty are also included, and full solutions are available online at www.cambridge.org/9780521873628.
Preface
1. Origin and history of the Solar System
2. Composition of the Earth
3. Radioactivity, isotopes and dating
4. Isotopic clues to the age and origin of the Solar System
5. Evidence of the Earth's evolutionary history
6. Rotation, figure of the Earth and gravity
7. Precession, wobble and rotational irregularities
8. Tides and the evolution of the lunar orbit
9. The satellite geoid, isostasy and post-glacial rebound
10. Elastic and inelastic properties
11. Deformation of the crust
rock mechanics
12. Tectonics
13. Convective and tectonic stresses
14. Kinematics of the earthquake process
15. Earthquake dynamics
16. Seismic wave propagation
17. Seismological determination of Earth structure
18. Finite strain and high pressure equations of state
19. Thermal properties
20. The surface heat flux
21. The global energy budget
22. Thermodynamics of convection
23. Thermal history
24. The geomagnetic field
25. Rock magnetism and paleomagnetism
26. Alternative energy sources and natural climate variations
some geophysical background
Appendix A. General reference data
Appendix B. Orbital dynamics (Kepler's laws)
Appendix C. Spherical harmonic functions
Appendix D. Relationships between elastic moduli of an isotropic solid
Appendix E. Thermodynamic parameters and derivative properties
Appendix F. An Earth model
mechanical properties
Appendix G. A thermal model of the Earth
Appendix H. Radioactive isotopes
Appendix I. A geological time scale 2004
Appendix J. Problems
References
Index.
'Physics of the Earth will continue to set the standard for the teaching of deep or whole earth geophysics.' Vernon Cormier, Pure and Applied Geophysics