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Physics of Sedimentology explains sedimentological processes via the fundamental physics that underlies the actual mechanisms involved. The applicability of fundamental principles, such as Newton's Three Laws of Motion, the Law of Conservation of Energy, the First and Second Laws of Thermodynamics, and of other physical relations in hydraulics and groundwater hydrology is illustrated by discussions of natural processes which form sediments and sedimentary rocks. The author's educational background as a major in physics and geology, and his 40-years' experience in teaching and research have enabled him to bring together physics and geology in this enjoyable and highly readable book. In this second edition several chapters have been updated and amended to reflect progress in the field.
List of contents
Introduction.- Sorting Out and Mixing: Bulk Minerals; Heavy Minerals; Size and Sorting; Exclusion Principle.- Grains Settle: Stokes' Law; Why Derivation; Dimensional Analysis; Fluid Resistance; Reynolds Number; Resistance Coefficient; Lacustrine Varves.- Sediments are Moved: Turbidity Currents; Chezy's Equation; Stream Transport; Shields' Diagram; Hjulström's Curve.- Rocks Fall: Sediment-Gravity Flows; Elm Landslide; Grand Banks Slide; Speed of Slides; Debris Flows; Sand Avalanches; Mud Slide; OlistostromeVolume Dependence of Sturzstrom.- Suspensions Flow: Suspension Current; Auto-suspension; Bagnold's Criterion; Chezy-Kuenen Equation; Keulegan's Law; Energy Line; Hyperconcentrated Density Flows.- Sand Waves Migrate: Richardson Number; Froude Number; Model Theory; Point-Bar Sequence; Bedform; Facies Models.- Oceans are Ventilated: Ocean Currents; Bernoulli's Theorem; Darcy-Weisbach Equation; Contourites.- Groundwater Circulates: Darcy Equation; Poiseuille Law; Hydrodynamic Potential; Permeability; Compaction; Diffusion.- Components Equilibrate: Mass-Action Law; Gibbs Criteria of Chemical Equilibrium; First and Second Law of Thermodynamics; Lewis Concept of Chemical Activity; Carbonate Equilibria; Metastable Phases; Calcite Dissolution.- Evaporation Pumps: Dolomite; Dolomite Solubility; Material Transfer in Open Systems; Seepage Refluxing; Evaporative Pumping; Flood Recharge.- Isotopes Fractionate: Isotopes; Isotope Tracers; Paleotemperature; Paleoproductivity; Strangelove Ocean.- Basins Subside: Isostasy; Airy Model; Crustal Thinning; Mantle Heterogeneity; Lithospheric Stresses.- Why Creativity in Geology?
Summary
This textbook explains sedimentological processes via the fundamental physics that underlies the actual mechanisms involved. The applicability of fundamental principles, such as Newton's Three Laws of Motion, the Law of Conservation of Energy, the First and Second Laws of Thermodynamics, and of other physical relations in hydraulics and groundwater hydrology is illustrated by discussions of natural processes which form sediments and sedimentary rocks. The author's educational background as a major in physics and geology, and his 40-years' experience in teaching and research have enabled him to bring together physics and geology in this enjoyable and highly readable book. In this second edition several chapters have been updated and amended to reflect progress in the field.
Report
From the reviews of the second edition:
"The book is providing ... geologists in general, with a topical review of classical geological themes together with their physical background ... . gives a more profound understanding of the boundary conditions of the validity of commonly used approaches in geology. ... students, researchers and professional geologists ... benefit from better understanding the underlying physics. This book gives them an excellent opportunity to start this understanding. ... an excellent opportunity for bridging the gap between the pure physics and its application to geology." (Noël Vandenberghe, Geologica Belgica, Vol. 8(1-2), 2005)
"The theme of the book is providing sedimentologists, and in fact geologists in general, with a topical review of classical geological themes ... . it is beyond doubt that students, researchers and professional geologists using geological concepts will benefit from better understanding the underlying physics.... The book is well written in an almost narrative style with a lot of personal flavor ... . the book could be an excellent opportunity for bridging the gap between the pure physics and its application to geology." (Noël Vandenberghe, Geologica Belgica, Vol. 8 (1-2), 2005)
"This second edition of Hsü's famous book has long been waited for. ... all chapters end with a section on 'Suggested Reading', which is most helpful. ... the 11 chapters dealing with physical processes are of high quality from a didactic point of view. ... The figures in the book are, as a rule, clear and didactically of high quality. ... for many sedimentologists the book will be very useful, indeed. ... For students the book will certainly be useful ... ." (A.J. (Tom) van Loon, Journal of Sedimentary Research, January, 2005)
