Deformation of Earth Materials An Introduction to the Rheology of Solid Earth

This graduate textbook presents a comprehensive, unified treatment of the materials science of deformation as applied to solid Earth geophysics and geology. The deformation of Earth materials is presented in a systematic way covering elastic, anelastic and viscous deformation. Advanced discussions on relevant debates are also included to bring readers a full picture of science in this interdisciplinary area. This textbook is ideal for graduate courses on the rheology and dynamics of solid Earth, and includes review questions with solutions so readers can monitor their understanding of the material presented. It is also a much-needed reference for geoscientists in many fields including geology, geophysics, geochemistry, materials science, mineralogy and ceramics.

Part I. General Background: 1. Stress and strain; 2. Thermodynamics; 3. Phenomenological theory of deformation; Part II. Materials Science of Deformation: 4. Elasticity; 5. Crystalline defects; 6. Experimental techniques in the study of plastic deformation; 7. Brittle fracture, brittle-plastic transition; 8. Diffusional creep; 9. Dislocation creep; 10. Effects of pressure and water; 11. Physical mechanisms of seismic wave attenuation; 12. Deformation of multi-phase materials; 13. Grain size; 14. Lattice preferred orientation; 15. Effects of phase transformations; 16. Stability and localization of deformation; Part III. Geological and Geophysical Applications: 17. Composition and structure of Earth's interior; 18. Time-dependent deformation of Earth and rheological structures; 19. Inference of rheological structure of Earth from mineral physics; 20. Heterogeneity of seismic wave velocities and its geodynamic significance; 21. Seismic anisotropy and its geodynamic significance; References; Index.