Foundations of Geomagnetism

by George Backus, Robert Parker, Catherine Constable

Overview

The main magnetic field of the Earth is a complex physical phenomenon. This book presents in detail the foundations of geomagnetism, developed from first principles. The book starts with an overview of the phenomena of interest in geomagnetism, and then goes on to deal with the phenomena in detail, building the necessary techniques in a thorough and consistent manner. Students and researchers will find this book to be an invaluable resource in the appreciation of the mathematical and physical foundations of geomagnetism.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521017336
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	12/15/2005
Pages:	384
Product dimensions:	6.02(w) x 9.02(h) x 0.91(d)

Table of Contents

Preface; 1. General facts about the main field; 2. Classical electrodynamics; 3. Spherical harmonics; 4. Gauss' theory of the main field; 5. The Mie representation; 6. Hydromagnetics of the core; 7. Appendix: mathematical background; Bibliography; Index.

Editorial Reviews

"...the book is an invaluable resource for the mathematical and physical background of geomagnetism." Marek Lewandowski, Pure and Applied Geophysics

"...the book flourishes as no other really can. Maxwell's equations are dealt with and close scrutiny is given to the various approximations used in geomagnetism... It develops spherical harmonics from the homogenous harmonic polynomials, a route not often taken...Guass' theory of the main field is then described, including internal and external separation and the downward continuation problem...Then comes probably the most comprehensive and unique exposition of the different decompositions of vector fields which are possible (those of Mie and Helmholtz) and of their application to different physical problems ranging from ohmic heating in the core to induction in the mantle...this book stands alone in terms of its mathematical rigor and completeness in treating exactly what it claims, the (mathematical) foundations of geomagnetism. I can highly recommend it to geophysicists as a reference work which will attain considerable longevity." EOS

From the Publisher