Dynamics of the Earth's Evolution (Physics and Evolution of the Earth's Interior, Vol. 6)

Oversized cloth hardcover, xiii + 469 pages, NOT ex-library. Shipping weight over 1kg. Page edges affected by extensive age-spotting; erased pencil number on the rear endpaper. Else little wear. Book is clean and bright with unmarked text, free of inscriptions and stamps, firmly bound; contents are not tanned. Dust jacket with two short tears, a bit of edgewear, faint shelfwear. -- This volume offers an integrated and scientifically rigorous examination of the Earth's dynamic evolution, concentrating on its internal structure, energy flow and tectonic behaviour from a geophysical and thermodynamic perspective. It begins with an updated overview of plate tectonics, reviewing the evolution of the theory from early continental drift models to the present consensus on lithospheric plate motion, spreading, collision and subduction. Through detailed paleomagnetic data and reconstructions, the authors trace the trajectories of continents across geological time, establishing a foundation for modelling crustal deformation and intraplate stresses. A major portion of the volume is dedicated to the structure and dynamics of the mantle, with emphasis on large-scale convection. Drawing on seismic tomography and gravity field analysis, the authors differentiate upper and lower mantle processes, discuss the layered nature of mantle convection and consider the implications of these flows for surface tectonics and thermal evolution. The existence of deep mantle plumes, the potential for whole-mantle versus layered convection and the mechanical coupling between lithosphere and asthenosphere are all examined with reference to observational datasets and numerical models. Another key theme is the stress field of the lithosphere. The book analyses stress using three independent approaches: theoretical modelling based on mechanical and thermal structure; inference from surface observables such as gravity and topography; and inversion of seismic moment tensors. These methodologies converge to reveal a complex picture of stress propagation from mantle convection to crustal deformation, highlighting the interconnection of deep processes with observable tectonic phenomena like rifting, subduction and orogenic compression. Thermodynamic principles are used to address irreversible processes such as mantle differentiation, core formation and secular cooling. The authors explore how non-equilibrium thermodynamics and entropy production models can be applied to long-term geological processes, particularly to explain self-organisation, internal ordering and the emergence of structured heterogeneities in the Earth's interior. Core-mantle interactions and the role of chemical stratification in the lower mantle are also addressed through both theoretical and empirical lenses. Later chapters return to the observational record, using paleomagnetic and geomagnetic data to track Earth's field reversals, secular variation and the geodynamo process. This links outer core dynamics to observable magnetic signatures, offering a valuable window into deep-Earth processes. The study also includes comparisons with other terrestrial bodies, such as the Moon and Mars, highlighting differences in thermal history, tectonic activity and interior evolution that inform our understanding of Earth's uniqueness in the solar system. Throughout, the volume maintains a focus on integrating geophysical, thermodynamic and geochemical data with advanced computational methods. Its broad scope makes it highly relevant for geoscientists working on mantle dynamics, tectonic modelling, planetary geology and Earth system science. Appendices provide detailed data on tectonic plate motion, stress tensors, gravity anomalies and heat flow, making the work a useful reference for both researchers and graduate students. The book synthesises decades of research to offer a coherent model of the Earth's long-term evolution, linking deep interior processes with surface dynamics and planetary context.…