Mechanics in the Earth and Environmental Sciences [Paperback]

Gerard V. Middleton (Author), Peter R. Wilcock (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521446694 | ISBN-13: 978-0521446693 | Publication Date: August 26, 1994

The study of the Earth and the environment requires an understanding of the physical processes within and at the surface of the Earth. This book will allow the student to develop a broad working knowledge of mechanics and its application to the earth and environmental sciences. The mathematics are introduced at a level that assumes only an understanding of first-year calculus. The concepts are then developed to allow an understanding of the basic physics for a wide range of natural processes. These are illustrated by examples from many real situations, such as the application of the theory of flow through porous media to the study of groundwater, the viscosity of fluids to the flow of lava, and the theory of stress to the study of faults. The breadth of topics will allow students and professionals to gain an insight into the workings of many aspects of the Earth's systems.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This unique book should bridge a gap common to courses in many earth and environmental science curricula, i.e., the inadequate application of mathematics and physics. Middleton and Wilcock provide a more quantitative modeling approach to understanding the physical processes within and at the surface of the earth....well written and illustrations are clear and adequate. An excellent resource." M.E. McCallum, Choice

"...aims to give students a broad knowledge of mechanics and its application to the earth and environmental sciences...the range of applications described and exemplified in this book shows both students and professionals the physical systems at work in Earth's crust and at its surface." Geotimes

"...mechanics workers will find Mechanisms in the Earth and Environmental Sciences worthwhile reading. Middleton and Wilcock have provided a readable and fascinating account of aplied mechanics as practiced by the earth and environmental scientists." S.K. Garg, Applied Mechanics Review

"As is true for all the other aspects of this book, it is clear that a lot of work has gone into assembling the bibliography and making it useful for students....[T]he coverage is well balanced between phenomenological and theoretical sources....[A] superb example of good textbook writing. It is well designed pedagogically and a pleasure to read." John A. Scales, American Scientist

Book Description

The study of the Earth and the environment requires an understanding of the physical processes within and at the surface of the Earth. This text will allow the student to develop a broad working knowledge of mechanics and their application to the earth and environmental sciences.

Product Details

• Paperback: 476 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (August 26, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521446694
• ISBN-13: 978-0521446693
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #931,173 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Down-to-earth" mechanics for geoscientists, March 28, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Mechanics in the Earth and Environmental Sciences (Paperback)

Are you a geoscientist or a student in geosciences? Did you have quite some physics and mathematics during high school and/or college, but never fully understood how earth sciences really connect with them? Are you sometimes annoyed by the difficulty to understand some papers loaded with equations in your professional literature? If the answers to these questions are "yes", than this book can be a very useful one for you, regardless if you are a structural geologist, sedimentologist, hydrogeologist or petroleum geologist. The mathemathical background which you need for the book is only introductory calculus. And, as most books or papers written or co-authored by G.V. Middleton, it is well written, and, despite the not-so-easy subjects, it is easy to follow and understand. You will find a review of elementary mechanics, chapters about dimensional analysis, stress, pressure and buoyancy, flow through porous media, strain, elasticity, viscous fluids, flow of natural materials, turbulence and thermal convection. Of a special value for me were (and still are) the suggested readings, which pick a few good references from a sea of titles, for me an unfamiliar list which made it always problematic to choose the best/right readings. This book can be used as a great textbook and teaching material for upper level undergrads or beginner level graduate students in the earth and environmental sciences.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A text worth investing in, February 9, 2003

By 

"kimby86" (Mililani, HI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mechanics in the Earth and Environmental Sciences (Paperback)

Spending too much money on textbooks this semester? Purchase this text and you'll actually read and utilize it. The authors are concerned with teaching the material, NOT showing the reader how smart they are. That's what counts, LEARNING.