Course Summary

Presents an overview of the geophysical study of the Earth, drawing upon geodesy, gravity, seismology, thermal studies, geomagnetism, materials science, and some geochemistry.

The course covers the principal techniques by which discoveries have been made, and are made, in deep Earth structure, and describes fundamental properties and features of the crust, mantle, and core.

Suggested preparation

Vector calculus, differential equations, Fourier series, college-level physics (mechanics, electromagnetism, waves).

Content

• Formation of our solar system; the planets.
• Earth's shape, mass, moment of inertia; its formation, composition, and layering. The gravitational field and the geoid; spherical harmonics. Earth rotation and tides.
• Thermal structure. Distribution of heat sources in the earth; variation of temperature with depth; thermal boundary layers; heat budget.
• Earth magnetism. Dipole field; secular and spatial variation; basic dynamo theory; energy sources.
• Radial density, elastic, anelastic, and viscous structure of Earth's mantle and core. Seismological constraints: body waves and normal modes. Mantle discontinuities and mineralogical phase transformations; deep earthquakes; elastic anisotropy; partial melt.
• Lateral heterogeneity of Earth's mantle and core. Convection; plates, plumes, and slabs.

Class Format:

The course meeting time will be used for lecture presentation of core material, discussion, and brief presentations of research topics/articles by class participants.
There will be ~4 written assignments/problem sets during the term.
Participants taking the class for credit are expected to write a term paper (due at end of study period, 5/5).

The grade will be based on the assignments/problem sets/presentations (50%) and the term paper (50%).

Texts

No single text covers this material. Together with handouts and notes, readings will be taken from (incomplete list):

Physics of the Earth, 3rd edition, Frank Stacey, Brookfield Press, 1992.
Physics of the Earth, 4rd edition, Frank Stacey and Paul Davies, Cambridge University Press, 2008.
The Solid Earth, Christine Mary Rutherford Fowler, Cambridge Univ. Press, 2004.
Fundamentals of Geophysics, William Lowrie, Cambridge Univ. Press, 2001
Geodynamics, Turcotte and Schubert, 1982 (also 2nd edition, 2002)

Syllabus

Restricted portion of course web site