everything.study
12.002

Introduction to Geophysics and Planetary Science

3-1-8 units. REST · Undergraduate

Study of the structure, composition, and physical processes governing the terrestrial planets, including their formation and basic orbital properties. Topics include plate tectonics, earthquakes, seismic waves, rheology, impact cratering, gravity and magnetic fields, heat flux, thermal structure, mantle convection, deep interiors, planetary magnetism, and core dynamics. Suitable for majors and non-majors seeking general background in geophysics and planetary structure.

Fall 2008 · Physics and Chemistry of the Terrestrial Planets

Topics

  • Introduction and overview
  • Solar system formation
  • Origin of elements
  • Origin of elements (cont.)
  • Geochronology
  • Geochronology (cont.)
  • Age of the solar system
  • Mass and moment of inertia
  • Rheology and seismology
  • Elastic stress strain relations
  • Seismic waves and wave equation
  • Structure of the planets from seismology
  • Heat and conduction
  • Heat convection
  • The error function
  • Oceanic subsidence and heat flow
  • Convective heat flow
  • Cooling planets
  • Geomagnetism I
  • Geomagnetism II
  • Polar wander and continental drift
  • Plate tectonics
  • Plate tectonics (cont.)
  • Isostasy
  • Gravity anomalies
  • Gravity anomalies (cont.)
  • Topography and gravity data
  • Planetary histories
  • Planets
  • Mercury
  • Moon
  • Venus
  • Presentations
  • Presentations (cont.)

Readings

  • Pater, I. de, and J. J. Lissauer. Planetary Sciences . Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 2001. ISBN: 9780521482196.
    Listed reading
  • Lowrie, W. Fundamentals of Geophysics . Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 1997. ISBN: 9780521467285.
    Listed reading

Prerequisites & course information

Prereq: None. Coreq: Calculus II (GIR) and Physics II (GIR) U (Spring) 3-1-8 units. REST

Sources