Product Description

This textbook presents a comprehensive overview of the fundamental principles of geophysics. It combines applied and theoretical aspects of the subject, in contrast to most other geophysics textbooks which tend to emphasise either one or the other. The author explains complex geophysical concepts using abundant diagrams, a simplified mathematical treatment, and easy-to-follow equations. After placing the Earth in the context of the solar system, it describes each major branch of geophysics: gravitation, seismology, dating, thermal and electrical properties, geomagnetism, palaeomagnetism and geodynamics. Each chapter begins with a summary of the basic physical principles, and a brief account of each topic’s historical evolution. Pitched at a level between introductory and advanced texts, the book will satisfy the needs of intermediate-level earth science students from a variety of backgrounds, while at the same time preparing geophysics majors for continued study to a higher level. The book is destined to become a core textbook for geology and geophysics courses.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #500828 in Books
• Published on: 1997-09-11
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 368 pages

Review
‘This superb textbook manages to bear the weight of the complex mathematics associated with the study of the Earth’s surface and interior. William Lowrie simplifies the maths to about second-year degree level … An excellent textbook.’ David Hughes, New Scientist

‘… this book is a very welcome addition to available texts in the area of solid earth geophysics …’. Allan Trench, The Australian Geologist

‘This will be a useful book for its target audience of undergraduates in earth science who need an understanding of how geophysics may be used to help understand the Earth. It is particularly useful for the quality and up-to-date nature of its diagrams and illustrations, and will serve as a helpful text in teaching students.’ Robert. S. White, Geology Magazine

‘ … it will have a place on my bookshelf’. Martin Howard, OUGS Journal

‘The book is well illustrated and clearly presented. I have already found it helpful in teaching second-year geology students and have no doubt that it will be a useful reference book for underf=graduates. It provides good coverage of the main geophysical techniques and their application to understanding the Earth. … This will be a useful book for its target audience of undergraduates in earth science who need an understanding of how geophysics may be used to help understand the Earth. It is particularly useful for the quality and up-to-date nature of its diagrams and illustrations, and will serve as a helpful text in teaching students.’ Robert S. White, Geological Magazine

Customer Reviews

Great introductory book
If you wish to read a good introductory book with a solid scientific basis, this is the one. It covers a wide range of topics while keeping a good balance between enough scientific background to please more scientifically advanced readers, yet simplified enough to serve as an introduction.