Quantitative Plate Tectonics

Antonio Schettino is aggregate professor of geophysics at the university of Camerino, Italy. He has research interests in the applications of physics and computational methods to Earth sciences, especially plate kinematics and geodynamics. His main publications focus on the Mediterranean and central Atlantic kinematics, the construction of apparent polar wander paths, the geometry of subduction systems, and the techniques of analysis of marine magnetic anomalies. Presently he leads an international research team engaged in the acquisition of new geophysical and geologic data from the Red Sea region and a re-examination of the Nubia - East Africa - Arabia plate kinematics and geodynamics.

Preface.- Part I: Plate Kinematics.- 1 Composition of the Crust and the Mantle.- 2 Plate Motions.- 3 Magnetization and Magnetic Minerals.- 4 The Geomagnetic Field.- 5 Marine Magnetic Anomalies.- 6 Paleomagnetism and Earth History.- Part II: Dynamics of the Lithosphere and the Mantle.- 7 Stress and Strain.- 8 Elasticity of the Earth.- 9 Seismic Rays.- 10 Earthquakes.- 11 Seismic Deformation of the Lithosphere.- 12 Heat Flow and Thermodynamics of the Lithosphere.- 13 Flow and Fluid Behaviour of the Mantle.- 14 Gravity Field of the Earth.- Index.

Endorsements:

"Dr. Schettino has produced a book covering in a rigorous way the kinematics and dynamics of plate tectonics. The fundamental physics governing geodynamic processes is discussed quantitatively, the relevant equations are clearly derived, and the implications of results are illustrated with examples and problems. The book will repay careful reading not only by postgraduate students in geophysics and geology, but also by any Earth scientist who wishes to acquire a quantitative understanding of plate tectonics."
Giorgio Ranalli, Distinguished Research Professor, Department of Earth Sciences, Carleton university, Ottawa, Canada (author of "Rheology of the Earth", two editions, 1987 and 1995)

"This text gives an excellent quantitative presentation of the kinematics and the dynamics of plate tectonics that integrates many aspects of the Earth sciences and provides a powerful model of the dynamic behaviour of the Earth. The geological and geophysical processes involved in elucidating the theory are clearly illustrated through a perfectly balanced level of mathematical and physical concepts including derivation of the relevant equations, examples and problems. The book is intended for advanced undergraduates, graduate students and professional earth scientists requiring an overview of the essential processes of plate tectonics."
Marco Ligi, Senior Researcher, National Research Council of Italy, Istituto di Scienze Marine, Bologna, Italy

Endorsements:"Dr. Schettino has produced a book covering in a rigorous way the kinematics and dynamics of plate tectonics. The fundamental physics governing geodynamic processes is discussed quantitatively, the relevant equations are clearly derived, and the implications of results are illustrated with examples and problems. The book will repay careful reading not only by postgraduate students in geophysics and geology, but also by any Earth scientist who wishes to acquire a quantitative understanding of plate tectonics."Giorgio Ranalli, Distinguished Research Professor, Department of Earth Sciences, Carleton university, Ottawa, Canada (author of "Rheology of the Earth", two editions, 1987 and 1995)"This text gives an excellent quantitative presentation of the kinematics and the dynamics of plate tectonics that integrates many aspects of the Earth sciences and provides a powerful model of the dynamic behaviour of the Earth. The geological and geophysical processes involved in elucidating the theory are clearly illustrated through a perfectly balanced level of mathematical and physical concepts including derivation of the relevant equations, examples and problems. The book is intended for advanced undergraduates, graduate students and professional earth scientists requiring an overview of the essential processes of plate tectonics."Marco Ligi, Senior Researcher, National Research Council of Italy, Istituto di Scienze Marine, Bologna, Italy