Earth's Core

Geophysics of a Planet's Deepest Interior

1st Edition - December 4, 2021
Authors: Vernon F. Cormier, Michael I. Bergman, Peter L. Olson
Language: English
Paperback ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 1 2 - 8 1 1 4 0 0 - 1
eBook ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 1 2 - 8 1 1 3 8 7 - 5

Earth’s Core: Geophysics of a Planet’s Deepest Interior　provides a　multidisciplinary approach to　Earth’s core, including　seismology, mineral physics, geomagnetism, and geodynamics.… Read more

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Earth’s Core: Geophysics of a Planet’s Deepest Interior　provides a　multidisciplinary approach to　Earth’s core, including　seismology, mineral physics, geomagnetism, and geodynamics.　The book　examines　current　observations, experiments,　and　theories;　identifies outstanding research questions;　and　suggests future directions for study.　

With topics ranging from the structure of the core-mantle boundary region, to the chemical and physical properties of the core, the workings of the　geodynamo, inner core seismology and dynamics, and core formation,　this　book　offers a multidisciplinary perspective　on what we know and what we know　we have yet to discover.　The book begins with　the　fundamental material and concepts in seismology, mineral physics,　geomagnetism,　and geodynamics, accessible　from　a wide range of backgrounds. The book then builds on this foundation　to introduce current research, including observations, experiments, and theories. By identifying unsolved problems and promising routes to their solutions, the book is intended to motivate further research, making it a valuable resource　both　for students entering Earth and planetary sciences and for researchers in a particular subdiscipline who need to broaden their understanding.

Cover image
Title page
Table of Contents
Copyright
About the authors
Preface
Chapter 1: Radial structure of Earth's core
Abstract
1.1: Geophysical evidence
1.2: Reference models
1.3: Analysis of the seismic wavefield
1.4: Viscoelastic attenuation
1.5: Scattering
1.6: Anisotropy
1.7: Viscosity
1.8: Summary
Appendix 1.1 Moment of inertia
Appendix 1.2 Elastic equation of motion
Appendix 1.3 Seismic nomenclature
Appendix 1.4 Adams-Williamson equation and the Bullen parameter
Appendix 1.5 Viscoeleastic attenuation parameterization
Appendix 1.6 Birch's law and seismic velocity/density relations
Appendix 1.7 Composite elastic moduli and density
Appendix 1.8 Elastic anisotropy
Appendix 1.9 Equations of state
References
Chapter 2: Chemical and physical state of the core
Abstract
2.1: Composition of the core
2.2: Temperature in the core
2.3: Transport properties of the core
2.4: Thermodynamics of the core
2.5: Inner core mineralogy
2.6: Summary
Appendix 2.1 Construction of phase diagrams and the partition coefficient
Appendix 2.2 Thermodynamic relations and the Gruneisen parameter
Appendix 2.3 The free electron Fermi gas, phonons, and the Debye model
Appendix 2.4 Miller indices and pole figures
References
Chapter 3: Geodynamo and geomagnetic basics
Abstract
3.1: Preliminaries
3.2: The geomagnetic field in the core
3.3: The geodynamo process
3.4: Geomagnetic images of the core flow
3.5: Summary
Appendix
References
Chapter 4: Outer core dynamics
Abstract
4.1: The outer core environment
4.2: Dimensionless parameters
4.3: Thermochemical transport and buoyancy
4.4: Steady laminar flows
4.5: Waves in the outer core
4.6: Outer core convection
4.7: Numerical dynamos
4.8: Summary
Appendix
References
Chapter 5: Boundary regions
Abstract
5.1: D″ (lowermost mantle region)
5.2: CMB topography
5.3: E′ region (uppermost outer core)
5.4: F region
5.5: ICB topography
5.6: Summary
References
Chapter 6: Inner core explored with seismology
Abstract
6.1: Elastic anisotropy
6.2: Attenuation and scattering
6.3: Hemispherical differences
6.4: Differential rotation
6.5: Shear modulus, density, and viscosity
6.6: Summary
References
Chapter 7: Inner core dynamics
Abstract
7.1: Solidification of the inner core
7.2: Deformation in the inner core
7.3: Annealing: Recovery, recrystallization, grain growth, and coarsening
7.4: Grain size and the deformation mechanism map of the inner core
7.5: Inner core viscosity
7.6: Inner core elastic anisotropy, attenuation, and isotropic heterogeneity
7.7: Summary
References
Chapter 8: Formation and evolution of the core
Abstract
8.1: Formation of the core
8.2: Core evolution
8.3: The geodynamo in the deep past
8.4: Seeding the early geodynamo
8.5: Summary
Appendix
References
Chapter 9: Future research goals
Abstract
9.1: Introduction
9.2: Seismology
9.3: Mineral physics
9.4: Core dynamics
References
Notation tables
Core properties and parameters
Glossary
Index

Vernon F. Cormier

Vernon F. Cormier is a Professor of Physics and Geophysics at the University of Connecticut. He received a BS from the California Institute of Technology and a PhD from Columbia University. His research has specialized in seismic wave propagation and deep Earth structure. He has served as an editor for the Geophysical Journal International and Physics of the Earth’s Interior. Among services to professional societies he has served the Seismological Society of America as Vice President and the American Geophysical Union as Secretary of the Seismology Section and Chair of the Study of Earth’s Deep Interior (SEDI) focus group.

Affiliations and expertise

Department of Physics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, United States

Michael I. Bergman

Michael I. Bergman is the Emily H. Fisher Professor of Physics at Bard College at Simon’s Rock, where he teaches courses ranging from Introduction to Geology to Solid-state Physics to a field course in Volcanology on the island of Montserrrat. He earned a BA from Columbia University and a PhD from MIT. His research has focused on the solidification and deformation of metals, alloys, and aqueous solutions, with applications to Earth’s core and sea ice. He is the recipient of the Doornbos Prize for research on the deep Earth by a beginning investigator, has been the long-standing secretary of SEDI, and has served as guest editor for several journals.

Affiliations and expertise

Faculty in Physics, Bard College at Simon’s Rock, Great Barrington, Massachusetts, United States

Peter L. Olson

Peter L. Olson is an adjunct professor in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at the University of New Mexico. He earned a BA from the University of Colorado and a PhD from the University of California Berkeley. His research focuses on the dynamics of Earth and other planets. He co-authored a book on convection in planetary mantles and served on editorial boards of numerous scientific journals. He was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the US National Academy of Sciences, and received the Petrus Peregrinus Medal from the European Geosciences Union and the Inge Lehmann Medal from the American Geophysical Union.

Affiliations and expertise

Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States