Dynamic Earth
Plates, Plumes and Mantle Convection

Presents the principles of convection in the earth's mantle in an accessible style.

Geoffrey F. Davies (Author)

9780521599337, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 18 November 1999

472 pages, 146 b/w illus. 10 tables
24.6 x 18.9 x 2.4 cm, 0.983 kg

'This is an excellent text, treating us to a very accessible exposition of a complex, but essential aspect of our subject.' Diana M. Smith, Open University Geological Society Journal

Dynamic Earth presents the principles of convection in the earth's mantle in an accessible style. Mantle convection is the process underlying plate tectonics, volcanic hotspots and, hence, most geological processes. The book summarises key observations and presents the relevant physics starting from basic principles. The main concepts and arguments are presented with minimal mathematics, although more mathematical versions of important aspects are included for those who desire them. The book also surveys geochemical constraints and mantle evolution. The audience for Geoff Davies' book will be the broad range of geologists who desire a better understanding of the earth's internal dynamics, as well as graduate students and researchers working on the many aspects of mantle dynamics and its implications for geological processes. It is also suitable as a text or supplementary text for upper undergraduate and postgraduate courses in geophysics, geochemistry, and tectonics.

Part I. Origins: 1. Introduction
2. Emergence
3. Mobility
Part II. Foundations: 4. Surface
5. Interior
6. Flow
7. Heat
Part III. Essence: 8. Convection
9. Plates
10. The plate mode
11. The plume mode
12. Synthesis
IV. Implications: 13. Chemistry
14. Evolution
Appendices
Index.

Subject Areas: Geophysics [PHVG], Applied mathematics [PBW]