Dynamics of the Earth's Evolution (eBook)

Front Cover 1
Dynamics of the Earth's Evolution 4
Copyright Page 5
Table of Contents 10
Preface to the Series Physics and Evolution of the Earth's Interior 6
Chapter 1. Plate Tectonics 16
1.1 Introduction 16
1.2 Fundamentals of plate tectonics 21
1.3 Kinematics of lithospheric plates 26
1.4 Oceanic ridges and spreading centres 41
References 59
Chapter 2. Paleomagnetic Clues to Plate Tectonics 66
2.1 Introduction 66
2.2 Continental drift and curves of apparent wandering of the pole 69
2.3 Linear oceanic magnetic anomalies 101
2.4 Hypothesis of an expanding Earth 111
References 117
Chapter 3. Mapping Mantle Convection 121
3.1 Basic ideas 121
3.2 Anisotropy of the mantle and the effects connected with it 122
3.3 Problem of inversion for a three-dimensional structure 134
3.4 Geoid anomalies and convection 148
3.5 Results of seismic tomography 159
References 173
Chapter 4. Theoretical Approach to Mantle Convection 176
4.1 Equations of convection 176
4.2 Mathematical methods for mantle convection 200
4.3 Geometrical aspects 216
4.4 Effects of rheology and of other properties of the mantle's material 231
4.5 Time-dependent convection and instabilities in the mantle 252
References 279
Chapter 5. The Evolving Earth and its Lithospheric Stresses 287
5.1 Monitory mechanism of evolution 287
5.2 Stress field due to the convection flow and the scalar representation theorem on the sphere 292
5.3 Stresses in the lithosphere 296
5.4 Lithospheric stresses and geoid anomalies 310
5.5 Faults and stress distribution 314
5.6 Thermal convection and surface features 320
5.7 Geoid anomalies and low mantle convection 323
5.8 Evolution and deep mass asymmetry 328
5.9 Evolution of a local stress field: simulation of earthquakes and creep events 338
References 354
Chapter 6. Stresses in the Lithosphere Induced by the Earth's Rotation 363
6.1 Introduction 363
6.2 Gravito-elastic approach 366
6.3 Two-dimensional approach 375
6.4 Secular variation of the rotation vector. Planetological and geophysical applications 383
6.5 General conclusions 398
Appendix A 398
Appendix B 399
References 402
Chapter 7. Thermodynamic Approach to Evolution 405
7.1 Evolution of the Earth as a thermodynamic non-equilibrium process 405
7.2 Difficulties involved in the transition from equilibrium to non-equilibrium thermodynamics 405
7.3 Cosmological implications of thermodynamics 407
7.4 Macroscopic aspects of the second law of thermodynamics 409
7.5 Entropy production 412
7.6 Local formulation of the second law of thermodynamics 414
7.7 Linear relations between the flows and the forces 416
7.8 The Onsager reciprocity relations 416
7.9 Theorem of minimum entropy production 418
7.10 Change in the entropy of a system in the course of an irreversible process 419
7.11 Evolution of the Universe and the Earth 421
7.12 Thermodynamic stability 423
7.13 Synergetics 424
7.14 The Prigogine–Glansdorff evolution criterion 426
7.15 The driving force of evolution 427
7.16 "Brusselator" and "Oregonator" 428
7.17 Self-organization concept applied: galaxies 437
7.18 Statistical aspects of the formation of dissipative structures 441
7.19 Selection of dissipative structures in a weak gravitational field 443
7.20 Melting and solidification processes at the inner-outer core boundary in the Earth's interior 448
7.21 Diffusion and solution/precipitation processes at the core-mantle boundary 456
References 457
Chapter 8. Paleomagnetic Clues to Certain Aspects of the Behaviour of the Earth's Magnetic Field 461
8.1 Parameters of the geomagnetic field recorded by rocks 462
8.2 The time constants and sources of information about variation of the geomagnetic field 464
8.3 Paleosecular variation 464
8.4 Reversals of geomagnetic field 468
8.5 Variations of intensity 474
References 476
Index 479