Thursday, 10:10-11:25, Schermerhorn 506
Lecture Topics:
Week 1. Formation of the solar system; the planets.
- (1/18): Organizational details. Overview of class.
- (1/20): The solar system. Earth's formation, composition, mass.
Week 2. The Earth as a planet; the moon; the shape of the Earth.
- (1/25): Theory and methods of geodesy
- (1/27): Observations and interpretation
Week 3. Earth deformation and tides.
- (2/1): Gravity, density anomalies, and viscosity
- (2/3): Earth tides
Week 4. Post-glacial rebound, Earth rotation
- (2/8): Post-glacial rebound
- (2/10): Earth rotation and length-of-day variations
Week 5. Geomagnetism.
- (2/15): Theory and methods
- (2/17): Observations and interpretation
Week 6. Thermal structure and evolution.
- (2/22): Theory of heat flow
- (2/24): Heat-flow observations and interpretation
Week 7. Conduction and convection.
- (3/1): Lithospheric cooling.
- (3/3): Mantle convection; plumes.
Week 8. Earth's thermal evolution. Seismological constraints on structure.
- (3/8): Primordial heat and heat sources.
- (3/10): Elasticity, seismic body waves
Spring break.
Week 9. Seismological constraints on structure. The crust and lithosphere.
- (3/22): Surface waves and normal modes
- (3/24): The crust, Moho, and lithospheric plates.
Week 10. The mantle (I)
- (3/29): The asthenosphere
- (3/31): The transition zone
Week 11. The mantle (II)
- (4/5): Phase transitions; deep earthquakes
- (4/7): The lower mantle
Week 12. The mantle (III) and the Core.
- (4/12): The core-mantle-boundary region
- (4/14): The outer and inner cores
Week 13. Seismic tomography and comparison with other planets.
- (4/19): Heterogeneous structure from seismic tomography.
- (4/21): Comparison with other planets.
Week 14. Presentations and conclusion
- (4/26): Project presentations
- (4/28): Project presentation, conclusion