Geomechanics

4.0 credits

Earth and other planetary bodies are constantly deforming as geophysical flows drive transport of materials over a wide range of length and time scales. In this course we will explore the mechanics of geophysical flows including (but not limited to) lava flows, rivers, debris flows, ocean and atmospheric currents, mantle convection, and glaciers. The first part of the course will be a primer on necessary fundamental fluid and granular mechanics, including topics such as rheology, the navier stokes equation, fluid drag, and fluid instabilities. In the second part of the course we will use these fundamental principles to discuss scientific literature and explore case studies of geophysical flows, with specific topics driven by student interest. Throughout the semester we will cover both well-established principles and cutting edge research, using hands on demonstrations to visualize physical processes. Coursework will consist mainly of labs, problem sets, readings, and a final project.