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Augments and extends the classic textbook Geodynamics by Turcotte and Schubert, presenting more complex and foundational math approaches.
List of contents
1. Observations Related to Plate Tectonics; 2. Fourier Transform Methods in Geophysics; 3. Plate Kinematics; 4. Marine Magnetic Anomalies; 5. Cooling of the Oceanic Lithosphere; 6. A Brief Review of Elasticity; 7. Crustal Structure, Isostasy, Swell Push Force, and Rheology; 8. Flexure of the Lithosphere; 9. Flexure Examples; 10. Elastic Solutions for Strike-Slip Faulting; 11. Heat Flow Paradox; 12. The Gravity Field of the Earth, Part I; 13. Reference Earth Model: WGS84; 14. Laplace's Equation in Spherical Coordinates; 15. Laplace's Equation in Cartesian Coordinates and Satellite Altimetry; 16. Poisson's Equation in Cartesian Coordinates; 17. Gravity/Topography Transfer Function and Isostatic Geoid Anomalies; 18. Postglacial Rebound; 19. Driving Forces of Plate Tectonics; References; Index.
About the author
David T. Sandwell is a Professor of Geophysics at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego. His research is focused on marine tectonics and geodynamics, and he develops global marine gravity and topography models from satellite altimetry and ship soundings. He is author of more than 190 research papers. He is a Fellow of Geological Society of America, the American Geophysical Union, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and a member of the US National Academy of Sciences.
Summary
David Sandwell developed this advanced textbook over a period of nearly 30 years for his graduate course at Scripps Institution of Oceanography. The book augments the classic textbook Geodynamics by Don Turcotte and Jerry Schubert, presenting more complex and foundational mathematical methods and approaches to geodynamics. The main new tool developed in the book is the multi-dimensional Fourier transform for solving linear partial differential equations. The book comprises nineteen chapters, including: the latest global data sets; quantitative plate tectonics; plate driving forces associated with lithospheric heat transfer and subduction; the physics of the earthquake cycle; postglacial rebound; and six chapters on gravity field development and interpretation. Each chapter has a set of student exercises that make use of the higher-level mathematical and numerical methods developed in the book. Solutions to the exercises are available online for course instructors, on request.
Additional text
'Advanced Geodynamics: The Fourier Transform Method by David Sandwell is a godsend for advanced undergraduate students, graduate students, and researchers actively engaged in the broad area of geodynamics. It complements the classic Geodynamics book by Turcotte & Schubert in a way nothing else could: by elevating the treatment to real, cutting-edge research problems via Fourier transforms that deliver simple and elegant solutions to complicated science problems.' Paul Wessel, University of Hawaii
