Planetary Tectonism across the Solar System

by Elsevier Science, Geoffrey C. Collins (Editor), Paul K. Byrne (Editor)

Overview

Planetary Tectonism across the Solar System, Volume Two in the Comparative Planetology series, addresses key questions surrounding planetary tectonism, such our understanding of the global contraction of Mercury, the formation of giant rift zones on Saturn’s icy moons, or the tesserated terrain on Venus. The book makes connections to Earth, such as how deformation on Mercury is both similar and different, and how to apply theoretical considerations behind plate tectonics on Earth to other planets. The book offers up-to-date, accessible and comprehensive discussions on the major tectonic processes and landforms that shape and drive the evolution of planets, moons and smaller bodies.

By placing a singular emphasis on comparing tectonic processes and landforms on all relevant Solar System bodies, with the explicit objective of providing a systems-level understanding of this widespread phenomenon, this book is ideal for anyone studying planetary tectonism.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780128160923
Publisher:	Elsevier Science
Publication date:	08/29/2025
Series:	Comparative Planetology , #2
Pages:	400
Product dimensions:	7.50(w) x 9.25(h) x (d)

About the Author

Christian Klimczak is Assistant Professor of structural geology in the Department of Geology at the University of Georgia. He is an expert in rock and fracture mechanics applied to deformation properties of rock and lithospheres, as well as fault mechanics on Earth and other terrestrial planetary bodies, with approaches taken from field work, remote sensing, and modelling.

Geoffrey Collins is a Professor at Wheaton College and a planetary scientist using the tools of geology, geophysics, and remote sensing to learn about the other planets in our solar system. He is primarily interested in geological processes on the icy satellites of the outer solar system, and he has been involved with various NASA projects such as the Galileo mission to Jupiter and the Cassini mission to Saturn. He has also spent time researching geological processes on Europa, Enceladus, Dione, Titan, Venus, Triton, and Pluto, among others. He teaches a diverse set of courses, including Geology, The Solar System, Remote Sensing, Astrobiology, and Geophysics.

Paul Byrne is a planetary geologist with expertise in the study of tectonic and volcanic systems on silicate planets and icy moons, and Assistant Professor of structural and planetary geology in the Department of Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences at North Carolina State University. He has published on physical volcanology, tectonism, and volcanotectonic deformation on Mercury, Mars, Earth, the Moon, and the icy moons of Saturn.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Tectonic Landforms Across the Solar System
3. Planetary Geomechanics
4. Tectonics Caused by Surface Loads5. Tectonic-Magmatic Interaction
6. Formation and Tectonic Modification of Impact Craters
7. Convection-driven Tectonics
8. Tectonics Caused by Changes in Planetary Volume
9. Tectonics Caused by Changes in Figure
10. Synthesis and Outlook

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From the Publisher

Presents a systematic, cohesive approach to comparing and contrasting tectonism across the vast array of planetary bodies in the Solar System, including Earth