Record Nr.

UNINA9910785691203321

Autore

Davies Geoffrey F (Geoffrey Frederick)

Titolo

Mantle convection for geologists / / Geoffrey F. Davies [[electronic resource]]

Pubbl/distr/stampa


Cambridge : , : Cambridge University Press, , 2011

ISBN


1-107-21502-1
0-511-99422-2
9786613050168
1-283-05016-1
0-511-99304-8
0-511-98922-9
0-511-98744-7
0-511-97341-1
0-511-99101-0

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (vii, 232 pages) : digital, PDF file(s)

Classificazione

SCI031000

Disciplina

551.1/16

Soggetti

Plate tectonics

Plumes (Fluid dynamics)

Heat - Convection

Earth (Planet) Mantle

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Note generali

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 05 Oct 2015).

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Nota di contenuto

1. Introduction -- 2. Context -- 3. Why moving plates? -- 4. Solid, yielding mantle -- 5. Convection -- 6. The plate mode of convection -- 7. The plume mode of convection -- 8. Perspective -- 9. Evolution and tectonics -- 10. Mantle chemical evolution -- 11. Assimilating mantle convection into geology -- Appendix A. Exponential growth and decay -- Appendix B. Thermal evolution details -- Appendix C. Chemical evolution details.

Sommario/riassunto

Mantle convection is the fundamental agent driving many of the geological features observed at the Earth's surface, including plate tectonics and plume volcanism. Yet many Earth scientists have an incomplete understanding of the process. This book describes the

physics and fluid dynamics of mantle convection, explaining what it is, how it works, and how to quantify it in simple terms. It assumes no specialist background: mechanisms are explained simply and the required basic physics is fully reviewed and explained with minimal mathematics. The distinctive forms that convection takes in the Earth's mantle are described within the context of tectonic plates and mantle plumes, and implications are explored for geochemistry and tectonic evolution. Common misconceptions and controversies are addressed - providing a straightforward but rigorous explanation of this key process for students and researchers across a variety of geoscience disciplines.