Physical Processes in Earth And Environmental

This book provides a sound introduction to the basic physical processes that dominate the workings of the Earth, its atmosphere and hydrosphere. It systematically introduces the physical processes involved in the Earth's systems without assuming an advanced physics or mathematical background. Offers an integrated approach to the study of earth, marine and atmospheric environmental sciences, reflecting current trends in undergraduate courses. Natural examples of physical processes, rather than abstract physics and maths, are used throughout to illustrate the scientific principles involved.Artwork from the book is available to instructors online at www.blackwellpublishing.com/leeder.

Dr Mike Leeder teaches and researches at the School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, UK. His main research interests are currently in the physics of sediment transport by turbulent flows and in the interactions between Earth surface physical processes and tectonics. He does active field work in Greece and New Mexico, USA.

Dr Marta Pérez-Arlucea teaches and researches at the Faculty of Marine Sciences, University of Vigo, Spain. Her main research interests currently include fluvial and coastal sedimentology, the determination of denudation rates, sediment flux, deposition rates and coastal evolution in Galicia (Spain), and the relation between tectonics and sedimentation in the Gulf of Corinth (Greece) and New Mexico, USA.

Preface

Acknowledgments

Planet Earth and Earth systems

1

(17)

Comparative planetology

1

(2)

Unique Earth

3

(2)

Earth systems snapshots

5

(2)

Measuring Earth

7

(3)

Whole Earth

10

(4)

Subtle, interactive Earth

14

(4)

Further reading

16

(2)

Matters of state and motion

18

(18)

Matters of state

18

(2)

Thermal matters

20

(4)

Quantity of matter

24

(2)

Motion matters: kinematics

26

(7)

Continuity: mass conservation of fluids

33

(3)

Further reading

35

(1)

Forces and dynamics

36

(66)

Quantity of motion: momentum

36

(2)

Acceleration

38

(2)

Force, work, energy, and power

40

(5)

Thermal energy and mechanical work

45

(4)

Hydrostatic pressure

49

(3)

Buoyancy force

52

(3)

Inward acceleration

55

(2)

Rotation, vorticity, and Coriolis force

57

(4)

Viscosity

61

(2)

Viscous force

63

(2)

Turbulent force

65

(2)

Overall forces of fluid motion

67

(4)

Solid stress

71

(12)

Solid strain

83

(9)

Rheology

92

(10)

Further reading

101

(1)

Flow, deformation, and transport

102

(101)

The origin of large-scale fluid flow

102

(3)

Fluid flow types

105

(4)

Fluid boundary layers

109

(2)

Laminar flow

111

(2)

Turbulent flow

113

(4)

Stratified flow

117

(2)

Particle settling

119

(2)

Particle transport by flows

121

(4)

Waves and liquids

125

(6)

Transport by waves

131

(2)

Granular gravity flow

133

(5)

Turbidity flows

138

(4)

Flow through porous and granular solids

142

(2)

Fractures

144

(12)

Faults

156

(16)

Solid bending, buckling, and folds

172

(7)

Seismic waves

179

(12)

Molecules in motion: kinetic theory, heat conduction, and diffusion

191

(4)

Heat transport by radiation

195

(2)

Heat transport by convection

197

(6)

Further reading

202

(1)

Inner Earth processes and systems

203

(34)

Melting, magmas, and volcanoes

203

(20)

Plate tectonics

223

(14)

Further reading

236

(1)

Outer Earth processes and systems

237

(56)

Atmosphere

237

(11)

Atmosphere-ocean interface

248

(6)

Atmosphere-land interface

254

(2)

Deep ocean

256

(7)

Shallow ocean

263

(7)

Ocean--land interface: coasts

270

(8)

Land surface

278

(15)

Further reading

292

(1)

Appendix Brief mathematical refresher or study guide

293

(5)

Cookies

298

(21)

Index

319

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Physical Processes in Earth And Environmental Sciences

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials