Introduction to the Physics of the Earth's Interior

Description

Introduction to the Physics of the Earth's Interior describes the structure, composition and temperature of the deep Earth in one comprehensive volume. The book begins with a succinct review of the fundamentals of continuum mechanics and thermodynamics of solids, and presents the theory of lattice vibration in solids. It introduces the various equations of state, moving on to a discussion of melting laws and transport properties. The book closes with a discussion of current seismological, thermal and compositional models of the Earth. The new edition of this successful textbook has been enlarged and fully updated, taking into account the considerable experimental and theoretical progress recently made in understanding the inner structure of the Earth. Like the first edition, this will be a useful textbook for graduate and advanced undergraduate students in geophysics and mineralogy. It will also be of great value to researchers in earth sciences, physics and materials sciences.

'... many intermediate and advanced level geophysics textbooks briefly treat some of the basic concepts of the physics of the Earth, but to date there has been no comprehensive text offering a complete background on this subject. Poirier's book does much to successfully fill this gap. The present volume is written for advanced undergraduate and graduate students without previous exposure to mineralogical and petrological physics. It will prepare readers for more advanced books ...' Gerado G. Tango, Geophysics '... for the mineral physicist this volume provides a complete and up-to-date presentation of material that is difficult to find in a single volume.' Carl W. Cable, PAGEOPH 'It is a pleasure to read a book as well written and well produced as the one that Jean-Paul Poirier and C.U.P. have written us ... ideal for any senior undergraduate or reseacher interested in the solid Earth. It is clearly written, authoritative, well produced and keenly priced. Go and buy it!' David Price, Geological Magazine '... provides an important summary text and helps solidify the relationship between condensed-matter physics and Earth science... Because Poirier develops the general framework by which theoryand laboratory data are used to generate constraints on models of the Earth, a broad audience (both within and beyond the Earth sciences community) will be intrigued with this book.' J. Michael Brown, Physics Today 'For courses that include these topics, this book would be an excellent reference text ... highly recommended for the equations of state and melting relations for the Earth's interior.' Donald L. Turcotte, Journal of Geological Education 'I found this book excellent in all respects. It brings under one cover a set of topics that are dispersed in the literature, and it does so with great clarity and consistency. It should form part of the library of anyone with a serious interest in the physics of the Earth's interior.' Giorgio Ranalli, Geoscientist