The Solid Earth: An Introduction to Global Geophysics [Paperback]

C. M. R. Fowler (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521893070 | ISBN-13: 978-0521893077 | Publication Date: December 20, 2004 | Edition: 2

The second edition of this acclaimed textbook has been brought fully up-to-date to reflect the latest advances in geophysical research. It is designed for students in introductory geophysics courses who have a general background in the physical sciences, including introductory calculus. New to this edition are a section of color plates and separate sections on the earth's mantle and core. The book also contains an extensive glossary of terms, and includes numerous exercises for which solutions are available to instructors from [e-mail]. First Edition Hb (1990): 0-521-37025-6 First Edition Pb (1990): 0-521-38590-3

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...excellent both for teachers and for those seeking a review of these processes from a geophysical point of view." Nature

"Anyone looking through the book will immediately feel that here is a quality textbook which will long be remembered by both teachers and students...I consider that the book is essential for all students seriously commencing a course in geology or geophysics." The Leading Edge, Ronald Green

Book Description

The Solid Earth is a general introduction to the physics of the solid Earth, including the workings of both the Earth's surface and its deep interior. The second edition of this acclaimed textbook has been brought fully up-to-date to reflect the latest advances in geophysical research. It is designed for students on introductory geophysics courses who have a general background in the physical sciences, including introductory calculus. The book contains an extensive glossary of terms, and includes numerous exercises for which solutions are available to instructors from [e-mail].

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 704 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press; 2 edition (December 20, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521893070
• ISBN-13: 978-0521893077
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.4 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #95,439 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #16 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Earth Sciences > Geophysics

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Major points in favor of the recommended textbook, February 15, 2005

By 

Ali Osman Oncel "Ali Oncel" (Saudi Arabia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Solid Earth: An Introduction to Global Geophysics (Paperback)

* It includes the recent progress of Solid Earth as huge volume of geophysical book (685 pages) and detail discussion under 12 Chapters of Solid Earth and Global Geophysics as:
1. Introduction, pp. 1-3
2. Tectonics on a sphere: the geometry of plate tectonics, pp. 5-40.
3. Past plate motions, pp.43-94.
4. Seismology Measuring the interior, pp. 100-186.
5. Gravity, pp.193-230
6. Geochronology, pp. 193-230.
7. Heat, pp. 269-323.
8. The deep interior of the Earth, pp. 326-381.
9. The oceanic lithosphere: ridges, transforms, trenches and oceanic islands, pp. 391-493.
10. The continental lithosphere, pp. 509-602.
11. Appendixes on used mathematics , units and functions, pp.615-654
12. Glossary, pp.655-666.
* Following the detail discussion from the point of mathematical derivation and attractively illustrated pictures on given above issues, solutions are given for pedagogical problems following each subsection. For example, two problem solutions under the Chapter 2 are given for calculation of relative motion at a plate boundary (see page 21) and calculating rotational vector (see Page 24). After the well-defined problems and provided easy-going solutions, finally 11 more questions are provided at the end of Chapter 1 (see pp.37). At the end of Chapter 1, 43 references are listed just for related issues of Plate Tectonics. The reference list includes a selection not from best-known Journals (e.g., Science and Nature) but also publications from past (1971) to present (2004). From the illustrated part of proposing book, it is a good evidence for what the suggested book is both friendly interactive and pedagogically well illustrated.
* The textbook is being used in number of Universities in courses to teach Solid Earth. Among those universities through the world are the following:
* Department of Earth Sciences, University of Southern California-USA
* Department of Earth Sciences, Simon Fraser University, CANADA.
* Department of Geological Sciences, Queen's University at Kingston, ENGLAND
* Department of Geological Sciences, University of Canterbury, NEW ZELAND.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Helpful for early undergraduates, March 27, 2008

By 

Heather J. Hooper "Seismo Girl" (Cambridge, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Solid Earth: An Introduction to Global Geophysics (Paperback)

This was a required textbook for one of my first undergraduate courses in geophysics, and it was incredibly exciting to read. It brought a lot of things together for me, so that I finally understood the linkages between all the things we were learning about. A classic in the field. Most of my PhD colleagues have this on their shelf and refer to it with affection.

1 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars textbook, November 13, 2006

By 

Tara "Taralee" (Monroe, CT USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Solid Earth: An Introduction to Global Geophysics (Paperback)

I am currently taking a geophysics course and this book is a required textbook. I am finding this book to be helpful but hard to understand at times. Though it is an excelent resource for geophysics students.