Fractals and Chaos in Geology and Geophysics

by Donald L. Turcotte

Overview

Now in a greatly expanded second edition, this book relates fractals and chaos to a variety of geological and geophysical applications and introduces the fundamental concepts of fractal geometry and chaotic dynamics. In this new edition, Turcotte expands coverage of self-organized criticality and includes statistics and time series to provide a broad background for the reader. Topics include drainage networks and erosion, floods, earthquakes, mineral and petroleum resources, fragmentation, mantle convection, and magnetic field generation. The author introduces all concepts at the lowest possible level of mathematics consistent with their understanding, so that the reader requires only a background in basic physics and mathematics. He includes problems for the reader to solve. This book will appeal to a broad range of readers interested in complex natural phenomena.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521567336
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	07/13/1997
Edition description:	REV
Pages:	416
Product dimensions:	7.99(w) x 9.92(h) x 0.79(d)

Table of Contents

Preface; Preface to the second edition; 1. Scale invariance; 2. Definition of a fractal set; 3. Fragmentation; 4. Seismicity and tectonics; 5. Ore grade and tonnage; 6. Fractal clustering; 7. Self-affine fractals; 8. Geomorphology; 9. Dynamical systems; 10. Logistic map; 11. Slider-block models; 12. Lorenz equations; 13. Is mantle convection chaotic?; 14. Rikitake dynamo; 15. Renormalization group method; 16. Self-organized criticality; 17. Where do we stand?; References; Appendix A: glossary of terms; Appendix B: units and symbols; Answers to selected problems; Index.

Editorial Reviews

"I enjoy this book very much and frankly recommend it...The comprehensible manner of the explanation and though-provoking, interesting examples of the applications of the Fractals and Chaos in Geology and Geophysics offer not only the knowledge but also the intuitive understanding of the field." Zofia Mortimer, Pure Applied Geophysics

"...a splendid job of presenting current streams of thought on the characterization of complexity in nature..." James R. Rice,

"...this is an excellent book and can be used as an advanced undergraduate and/or graduate level textbook. This is also an excellent reference for established geologists and geophysicists who wnat to learn about fractals and chaos." Wooil M. Moon, The Leading Edge

"In a grealty expanded second edition, this very well presented book relates fractals and chaos to a variety of geological and geophysical applications...." Radyadour Kh. Zeytounian, Mathematical Reviews

From the Publisher