The Lithosphere


Book Description

Presenting a coherent synthesis of lithosphere studies, this book covers a range of geophysical methods (seismic reflection, refraction, and receiver function methods; elastic and anelastic seismic tomography; electromagnetic and magnetotelluric methods; thermal, gravity and rheological models), complemented by petrologic and laboratory data on rock properties. It also provides a critical discussion of the uncertainties, assumptions, and resolution issues that are inherent in the different methods and models of the lithosphere. Multidisciplinary in scope, global in geographical extent, and covering a wide variety of tectonics settings across 3.5 billion years of Earth history, this book presents a comprehensive overview of lithospheric structure and evolution. It is a core reference for researchers and advanced students in geophysics, geodynamics, tectonics, petrology, and geochemistry, and for petroleum and mining industry professionals.




Geodynamics of the Lithosphere


Book Description

This second edition of the important introductory text for earth scientists has been thoroughly revised and extended. It is required reading for all those interested in learning about the quantitative description of geological problems. It contains chapters on heat flow, sedimentary basin modeling, the mechanics of continental deformation, PT path modeling, geomorphology, mass transfer and more. The book is aimed at the field oriented geologist who wants to begin by learning about the quantitative description of problems. The new edition features yet more illustrations and maps as well as almost 100 corrections of scientific problems.




Rheology and Deformation of the Lithosphere at Continental Margins


Book Description

Traditionally, investigations of the rheology and deformation of the lithosphere (the rigid or mechanically strong outer layer of the Earth, which contains the crust and the uppermost part of the mantle) have taken place at one scale in the laboratory and at an entirely different scale in the field. Laboratory experiments are generally restricted to centimeter-sized samples and day- or year-length times, while geological processes occur over tens to hundreds of kilometers and millions of years. The application of laboratory results to geological systems necessitates extensive extrapolation in both temporal and spatial scales, as well as a detailed understanding of the dominant physical mechanisms. The development of an understanding of large-scale processes requires an integrated approach. This book explores the current cutting-edge interdisciplinary research in lithospheric rheology and provides a broad summary of the rheology and deformation of the continental lithosphere in both extensional and compressional settings. Individual chapters explore contemporary research resulting from laboratory, observational, and theoretical experiments.







Stress Regimes in the Lithosphere


Book Description

The purpose of this book is to acquaint the geoscientist with issues associated with the debate over orientation and magnitude of stress in the lithosphere. Terry Engelder provides a broad understanding of the topic, while touching some of the specific details involved in the interpretation of stress data generated by the most commonly used measurement techniques. An understanding of stress in the lithosphere starts with an introduction to nomenclature based on three reference states of stress. Since rock strength governs differential stress magnitudes, stress regimes are identified according to the specific failure mechanism (crack propagation, shear rupture, ductile flow, or frictional slip) that controls the magnitude of stress at a particular time and place in the lithosphere. After introducing the various stress regimes, the author shows how their extent in the upper crust is demarcated by direct measurements of four types: hydraulic fracture, borehole-logging, strain-relaxation, and rigid-inclusion measurements. The relationship between lithospheric stress and the properties of rocks is then presented in terms of microcrack-related phenomena and residual stress. Lithospheric stress is also inferred from the analysis of earthquakes. Finally, lithospheric stress is placed in the context of large-scale stress fields and plate tectonics. Originally published in 1993. The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback and hardcover editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905.




The Lithosphere Beneath the Indian Shield


Book Description

This book explores the geotectonic evolution of the lithosphere beneath the Indian Shield, which comprises a collage of cratons variously bounded by mobile belts and palaeo-rifts. The lithosphere beneath these is fairly thin compared to other cratons worldwide, petrologically varied and shows considerable variation in thickness with depth both intra-craton and among cratons. Moreover, it has been subjected to the influence of repeated magmatic episodes from Proterozoic to Palaeocene, which have variously impacted different parts of the shield. The thermotectonic influence on constituent cratons is variable depending on the evolutionary history. This book discusses the impact of successive tectonomagmatic events on the evolution of the deep crust and shallow mantle, and their Phanerozoic modification as gleaned through the xenolith window. The book provides a petrotectonic perspective on the deep crust and shallow mantle from direct samples brought up as xenoliths of deep lithologies, and offers a comprehensive overview for students, researchers, academics and professionals, integrating the results of petrological studies of deep lithologies and geophysical investigations to (i) shed light on the physico-chemical and thermal structure of the lithosphere from an array of geotectonic settings and (ii) gain insights into the spatio-temporal evolution of the Indian Shield. An in-depth guide critical thinking on the complex issue of mantle differentiation, magmatism, lithosphere modification and crustal growth over time, the book allows readers to gain a better understanding of the processes that affect the lithosphere and shape the crust on which we live.




Isostasy and Flexure of the Lithosphere


Book Description

A unique overview of isostasy featuring recent advances in spectral data analysis and understanding of variations in lithospheric strength.




Terrestrial Heat Flow and the Lithosphere Structure


Book Description

Terrestrial Heat Flow and the Lithosphere Structure summarizes current problems of analyzing related data. The individual chapters are written by leading scientists in geothermics, and are arranged in three sections: - General Lithospheric Geothermics - Regional Lithospheric Geothermics - Worldwide Heat Flow Density Studies. Emphasis is laid on the interrelations between lithospheric structure and local heat flow fields.




Heat-Mass Transfer and Geodynamics of the Lithosphere


Book Description

This volume is devoted to investigation of all aspects of heat-mass transfer processes at different scales and from various origins, as well as the formation and evolution of geological structures. These phenomena are linked to geophysical properties of rocks, geothermal resources, geothermics, fluid dynamics, stress-state of the lithosphere, deep geodynamics, plate tectonics, and seismicity, among others. The book consists of two main parts. The first concerns heat-mass transfer associated with natural and technogenic processes in the upper lithosphere. The second deals with geodynamics and seismicity. The collection of over 25 chapter from leading investigators in Russia is thus an important contribution to research on the lithosphere in connection with formation and evolution of geological structures; heat and mass transfer processes in the lithosphere and their connection with deep Earth geodynamics. Collects a range of research methodologies including application of modelling, seismic tomography, geological field works, geological-geophysical methods, and in situ measurements through instrumentation; Explains how a wide range of geological and geophysical phenomena arising in the Earth’s lithosphere can be investigated under the umbrella of a common approach to heat-mass transfer processes; Includes the latest research by more than 60 leading scientists from Russia.




Structure of the Lithosphere and Deep Processes


Book Description

This book is a collection of papers presented in the 30th International Geological Congress, held in Beijing, on structure of the lithosphere and deep processes. The papers deal with topics on the measurement of P-wave velocities in rocks, and elastic properties of crust and upper mantle.