Papers from: All Union Symposium U2 on 'Instability within the Earth and core Dynamics' held on August 20-21 1987 in Vancouver.

Publisher Description

Published by the American Geophysical Union as part of the Geophysical Monograph Series, Volume 48. The International Lithosphere Program was launched in 1981 as a ten-year project of interdisciplinary research in the solid earth sciences. It is a natural outgrowth of the Geodynamics Program of the 1970's, and of its predecessor, the Upper Mantle Project. The Program — "Dynamics and Evolution of the Lithosphere: The Hazards" — is concerned primarily with the current state, origin and development of the lithosphere, with special attention to the continents and their margins. One special goal of the program is the strengthening of interactions between basic research and the applications of geology, geophysics, geochemistry and geodesy to mineral and energy resource exploration and development, to the mitigation of geological hazards, and to protection of the environment; another special goal is the strengthening of the earth sciences and their effective application in developing countries. The origin and evolution of sedimentary basins is an obvious focus of the International Lithosphere Program because it is fundamentally a problem in the dynamics and evolution of the lithosphere, and moreover, it provides special opportunities for strengthening the interactions between basic research and the applications of geology, geophysics, geochemistry and geodesy to mineral and energy exploration and development. Accordingly, at both the XXVIIth International Geological Congress in Moscow, in 1984, and at the XIXth General Assembly of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics in Vancouver, in 1987, the International Lithosphere Program convened special symposia on the subject of the origin and evolution of sedimentary basins and their mineral and energy resources. This special volume presents some of the principal results of those symposia.

We live on a dynamic Earth shaped by both natural processes and the impacts of humans on their environment. It is in our collective interest to observe and understand our planet, and to predict future behavior to the extent possible, in order to effectively manage resources, successfully respond to threats from natural and human-induced environmental change, and capitalize on the opportunities â€" social, economic, security, and more â€" that such knowledge can bring. By continuously monitoring and exploring Earth, developing a deep understanding of its evolving behavior, and characterizing the processes that shape and reshape the environment in which we live, we not only advance knowledge and basic discovery about our planet, but we further develop the foundation upon which benefits to society are built. Thriving on Our Changing Planet presents prioritized science, applications, and observations, along with related strategic and programmatic guidance, to support the U.S. civil space Earth observation program over the coming decade.

Earth's Core: Geophysics of a Planet's Deepest Interior provides a multidisciplinary approach to Earth's core, including seismology, mineral physics, geomagnetism, and geodynamics. The book examines current observations, experiments, and theories; identifies outstanding research questions; and suggests future directions for study. With topics ranging from the structure of the core-mantle boundary region, to the chemical and physical properties of the core, the workings of the geodynamo, inner core seismology and dynamics, and core formation, this book offers a multidisciplinary perspective on what we know and what we know we have yet to discover. The book begins with the fundamental material and concepts in seismology, mineral physics, geomagnetism, and geodynamics, accessible from a wide range of backgrounds. The book then builds on this foundation to introduce current research, including observations, experiments, and theories. By identifying unsolved problems and promising routes to their solutions, the book is intended to motivate further research, making it a valuable resource both for students entering Earth and planetary sciences and for researchers in a particular subdiscipline who need to broaden their understanding. - Includes multidisciplinary observations constraining the composition and dynamics of the Earth's core - Concisely presents competing theories and arguments on the composition, state, and dynamics of the Earth's interior - Provides observational tests of various theories to enhance understanding - Serves as a valuable resource for researchers in deep earth geophysics, as well as many sub-disciplines, including seismology, geodynamics, geomagnetism, and mineral physics

Constitution of the Earth's Interior discusses the physical and evolutionary principles connecting various elements of the knowledge about structure and dynamics of the Earth's interior. This work is divided into eight chapters that primarily focus on the physical, chemical, and petrological state. This text contains general data on a general stationary model, which is described by equations of state combining the basic parameters, including pressure, temperature, density, gravity acceleration, and mineral composition within the Earth's interior. Considerable chapters concern the chemical and petrological composition of the matter in the Earth's interior. The remaining chapters describe models containing inhomogeneities used to illustrate processes connected with phase transitions. This book will be of great value to geologists, physicists, and researchers.

Topics include: Physical properties of Earth materials; Earth's magnetic field: constraints on deep processes; Core dynamics and the geodynamo; Structure and interactions in the system inner core, outer core and mantle; Interaction of plate tectonics and deep mantle processes; High resolution images of the Earth's interior; Physical and chemical discontinuities and reservoirs in the Earth's mantle; Deep interiors of other planets.

Published by the American Geophysical Union as part of the Geophysical Monograph Series, Volume 72. The study of the Earth's deep interior is the object of a spectacular development due both to new techniques of observation (including very long baseline interferometry and superconducting gravimeters) and to progress in theory spurred by new computing capability. Stimulated by the international SEDI group, founded in 1986, geophysicists from different disciplines—Earth dynamicists, seismologists, geomagneticians, mineral physicists—began to cooperate and integmte more fully one another's work. SEDI meetings favor and promote those close contacts and cooperation. Great efforts will still be needed before all the disciplinary divisions dissolve—if they ever do—but things are clearly improving, as shown by this AGU monograph. We think indeed that this volume is a good, although incomplete, illustration of the situation as described above and that it is a benchmark in the exciting story of the progress in knowledge of the deep interior of our planet.

A text which details the most important advance in earth sciences since the emergence of plate tectonics in the 1960s. Armed with the new techniques of seismic tomography, nine leading scientists in geophysical research present an experimental and theoretical description of the dynamics of the Earth's mantle. What emerges is a coherent modern theory of mantle convection leading to a greater understanding of both surface motions and large-scale structure of the Earth's interior.

A multidisciplinary perspective on the dynamic processes occurring in Earth's mantle The convective motion of material in Earth's mantle, powered by heat from the deep interior of our planet, drives plate tectonics at the surface, generating earthquakes and volcanic activity. It shapes our familiar surface landscapes, and also stabilizes the oceans and atmosphere on geologic timescales. Mantle Convection and Surface Expressions brings together perspectives from observational geophysics, numerical modelling, geochemistry, and mineral physics to build a holistic picture of the deep Earth. It explores the dynamic processes occurring in the mantle as well as the associated heat and material cycles. Volume highlights include: Perspectives from different scientific disciplines with an emphasis on exploring synergies Current state of the mantle, its physical properties, compositional structure, and dynamic evolution Transport of heat and material through the mantle as constrained by geophysical observations, geochemical data and geodynamic model predictions Surface expressions of mantle dynamics and its control on planetary evolution and habitability The American Geophysical Union promotes discovery in Earth and space science for the benefit of humanity. Its publications disseminate scientific knowledge and provide resources for researchers, students, and professionals.