Thorsten Becker

Jackson School of Geosciences
The University of Texas at Austin

Teaching: Topics in Geodynamics
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teaching: UT GEOL: [GP 354], [LP 315] [TG 371], other classes
[CIDER] [C] [UNIX/GMT] [SEATREE] [visuals]

Topics in Geodynamics (540/790)

Applications of continuum physics to geological problems; fundamental physical processes necessary for an understanding of plate tectonics; quantitative analyses of geological problems stressed.

Reading and problems for self-study with focus on planetary applications.

Structure

  • Text:
    Geodynamics (Turcotte & Schubert, second edition, Cambridge U Press)
  • Meeting:
    Once per week in office hours to discuss problem sets and general questions.
  • Evaluation:
    Based on problem sets and one final, oral exam.
  • Prerequisite: MATH 126; corequisite: PHYS 135bL or PHYS 152L, GEOL440.
  • Special permission by instructor is required for this course.

Syllabus

The course is based on self-study of the textbook, additional reading, and working on problem sets.
Reading
All of chapters 1 through 7 of the Geodynamics textbook, and additional material from other sources (see below). Textbook exceptions: 2.8, 3.18, 4.19-4.21, 4.27, 4.30, 6.12, 6.13, 6.17. The focus is on chapters 4, 5, and 6.
Problem sets and additional reading
The following numbers refer to problem sets in text, not to reading sections as above. W1, W2 means the weeks in which the problems are to be completed.
  1. Intro
    Magnetism and other: 1.3, 1.8, 1.11, 1.17, 1.20 (W1)
  2. Stress and strain
    Isostacy and stress: 2.3, 2.7, 2.8 (W2)
    Pressure: 2.17, 2.18 (W3)
  3. Elasticity
    additional reading: Problem sets:
    Erosion stress: 3.2, 3.4 (W4)
    Plate bending: 3.7, 3.14 (W5)
  4. Heat
    Radioactive heating: 4.3, 4.5,
    Geotherms: 4.9, 4.11, 4.15, 4.17 (W6)
    Cooling: 4.19, 4.23, 4.28, 4.31 (W7)
    Planetary: 4.38, 4.39, 4.61, 4.64, 4.65 (W8)
    Lithospheric: 4.53, 4.56 (W9)
  5. GRAVITY
    Acceleration, gravity: 5.1, 5.3 (W10)
    Inertia: 5.8, 5.10, 5.11, Isostacy: 5.23 (W11)
  6. Fluids
    Simple flow: 6.4, 6.5, 6.7 (W12)
    PGR: 6.12, Plumes: 6.25 (W13)
    Convection: 6.29, 6.35, 6.36 (W14)
  7. Rheology
    7.11, 7.15, 7.16, 7.17, 7.18, 7.21 (W15)
Updated: May 11, 2025 (c) Thorsten Becker, 1997-2025.