| Physical description |
xiv, 354 pages : illustrations, maps ; 29 cm |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references (pages 341-346) and index. |
| Contents |
1. The Earth as a planet -- 2. Gravity and the figure of the Earth -- 3. Seismology and the internal structure of the Earth -- 4. Earth's age, thermal and electrical properties -- 5. Geomagnetism and paleomagnetism -- 6. Geodynamics. |
| Summary |
This unique textbook presents a comprehensive overview of the important fundamental principles of geophysics. The book combines both the applied and theoretical aspects of the subject, in contrast to most other geophysics textbooks which tend to emphasize either one or the other. It is pitched at an intermediate level between introductory and advanced texts. |
|
The need to explain many topics in geophysics using complex mathematics can be intimidating for a student. The author has overcome this problem by using abundant diagrams, a simplified mathematical treatment, and equations in which the student can follow each derivation step-by-step. The book begins by placing the Earth in the context of the solar system, and describes the major dynamical systems governing plate tectonics. It then proceeds to describe in detail each major branch of geophysics: the Earth's shape, rotation and gravitation, and analysis of gravity anomalies; seismology, earthquakes and the Earth's deep structure; the age, thermal and electrical properties of the Earth; geomagnetism and paleomagnetism; and lastly the geodynamics of isostasy, rheology and plate dynamics. Each chapter begins with a brief simplified summary of the basic physical principles, and a brief account of each topic's historical evolution. |
| Subject |
Geophysics.
|
| ISBN |
0521461642 (hardcover) |
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0521467284 (paperback) |
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