Whole Earth Geophysics: An Introductory Textbook for Geologists and Geophysicists

by Robert J. Lillie

This book is designed to introduce the principal geophysical phenomena and techniques―namely seismology, gravity, magnetism, and heat flow―to students whose primary training is in geology and who possess only a basic knowledge of physics. This text is appropriate for a variety of courses including Tectonics, Earthquake Seismology, Earthquake Geology, Reflection Seismology, and Gravity Interpretation, in addition to courses in Solid Earth Geophysics. Its abundant figures and exercises, combined with the straightforward, concise style of the text, put the essentials of geophysics well within reach of such readers.

376 pages, Paperback

First published May 12, 1998

Reviews

[Alan · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an aspiring planetary scientist, this is the most incredible, useful resource I own. Ten stars out of five.

All of the ideas are framed within a terrestrial context of course (hence Whole Earth "Geophysics") but Lillie approaches things as mathematically as possible and many of the ideas are eminently relevant to other worlds. For example: everything you learn here about seismology could be applied to even a planet like Mars. Although we might not expect many powerful 'marsquakes', we can expect a steady supply of meteoritic impacts to generate waves and therefore apply the techniques of seismology to study the Martian interior. All of this thanks to what we've learned here on Earth and for me specifically, thanks to Whole Earth Geophysics.