Comprehensive coverage of all aspects of mantle convection within the Earth, the terrestrial planets, the Moon, and the Galilean satellites of Jupiter. Includes up-to-date discussions of the latest research developments that have revolutionized our understanding of the Earth and the planets.
Preface; 1. Historical background; 2. Plate tectonics; 3. Structure and composition of the mantle; 4. Mantle temperatures and thermodynamic properties; 5. Viscosity of the mantle; 6. Basic equations; 7. Linear stability; 8. Approximate solutions; 9. Calculations of convection in two dimensions; 10. Numerical models of three-dimensional convection; 11. Hotspots and mantle plumes; 12. Chemical geodynamics; 13. Thermal history of the Earth; 14. Convection in the interiors of solid planets and moons; 15. Nature of convection in the mantle; References; Index.
'... a splendid effort, set to become the standard reference for years to come.' Nick Petford, Geology '... fills an important gap in the literature. the book will be indispensable to most Earth and planetary scientists and graduate students.' Science '... a broad, readable, and reasonably comprehensive discussion of our current understanding of the internal dynamics of planets undergoing solid-state convection ... The authors note in their preface that the book is primarily intended as a research monograph ... The structure and style of the book make for an excellent text or primary reference for a seminar class.' Michael Manga, EOS ' ... the best-compiled text that I have seen and may be used as a reference work for researchers in the many fields of Earth and planetary sciences. ... this book can be thoroughly recommended to Earth and planetary scientists at any level.' The Open University Geological Society Journal ' ... publication of this book makes it much easier to get into the subject and build an overview of it than it has been in the past. All who are working in this field will welcome its appearance.' Journal of Petrology