Physics of the Solid Earth I

This module teaches the physics underlying geological processes. In the first semester we mainly focus on deformation mechanisms and seismology.

- Understand basic physical principles to explain deformation of Earth`s materials.
- Understand basic physical principles to explain the generation and propagation of seismic waves.

Klausur

written exam

"1) Fowler, C.M.R., The Solid Earth: an Introduction to Global Geophysics, Cambridge University Press
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"2) Lowrie, W.: Fundamentals of Geophysics. Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge.
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"3) Physics of Earth, Stacey, F.D., Davis, P. M., Cambridge University Press
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4) An Introduction to our Dynamic Planet, Blake, S., Burton, K., Harris, N., Parkinson, I., Rogers, N., Widdowson, M., Cambridge University Press

1st SWS: Introduction in the Physics of Solid Earth
2nd SWS: Construction of the solar system and Earth
3rd SWS: Introduction to plate tectonics
4th SWS: Deformation mechanisms I: Rheology, elasticity, plasticity, viscosity
5th SWS: Deformation mechanisms II: Rheology, mantle convection
6th SWS: Seismology I: Stress, strain, equations of motion, definitions: wavelengths, periods, body and surface waves
7th SWS: Seismology II: Huygens and Snell principles, reflection, refraction, conversion, absorption, divergence
8th SWS: Seismology III: travel time curves: 2 layers and mutliple layers case
9th SWS: Seimology IV: Phases of a seismogram, Raypaths in Earth, shadow zones, Earth´s structure from travel time paths
10th SWS: Seimology VI: recording of seismic waves, principles of the seismometer
11th SWS: Seismology VII: First motion, hypocenter location, seismological grids
12th SWS: Seismology VIII: seismic tomography

13th SWS: Seismology VIII: Prediction and geohazards
14th SWS: Summary