A fully updated third edition of this classic textbook, containing two new chapters on numerical modelling supported by online MATLAB® codes.

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.

This second edition of the important introductory text for earth scientists has been thoroughly revised and extended. It is required reading for all those interested in learning about the quantitative description of geological problems. It contains chapters on heat flow, sedimentary basin modeling, the mechanics of continental deformation, PT path modeling, geomorphology, mass transfer and more. The book is aimed at the field oriented geologist who wants to begin by learning about the quantitative description of problems. The new edition features yet more illustrations and maps as well as almost 100 corrections of scientific problems.

Geodynamics concerns with the dynamics of the global motion of the earth, of the motion in the earth's interior and its interaction with surface features, together with the mechanical processes in the deformation and rupture of geological structures. Its final object is to determine the driving mechanism of these motions which is highly interdisciplinary. In preparing the basic geological, geophysical data required for a comprehensive mechanical analysis, there are also many mechanical problems involved, which means the problem is coupled in a complicated manner with geophysics, rock mechanics, seismology, structural geology etc. This topical issue is Part I of the Proceedings of an IUTAM / IASPEI Symposium on Mechanics Problems in Geodynamics held in Beijing, September 1994. It addresses different aspects of mechanics problems in geodynamics involving tectonic analyses, lithospheric structures, rheology and the fracture of earth media, mantle flow, either globally or regionally, and either by forward or inverse analyses or numerical simulation.

Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

This user-friendly reference for students and researchers presents the basic mathematical theory, before introducing modelling of key geodynamic processes.

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