ESSC 3120 Physics of the Earth


Time and Location:

3 hours per week with 1.5 hours for each lecture.

Instructors:

Dr. YANG Hongfeng, Mong Man Wai Building, Room 319. Office Phone: 39439824, Email: hyang@cuhk.edu.hk

Course Description:

This course focuses osn the concepts of the physics of the solid Earth. The topics covered include the Earth’s gravitational and magnetic fields, seismology, internal structure, geodynamics, as well as thermal and electrical properties. Methods of geophysical survey will also be introduced. At the completion of this course, the students will be able to know about Earth’s inner structure, composition, and thermal and electrical properties, understand principles of seismic wave propagation and earthquake physics, gain knowledge of gravity and geomagnetism, and have the ability to analyze the observation data for explanation of geophysical processes. The students will develop: 1) the ability to evaluate an issue critically based on evidence and scientific principle, 2) to acquire knowledge effectively by self-study and using information technology, and to work independently, 3) to work effectively in a team, and 4) to present information in a clear, concise and logical manner. The students also can acquire a responsible attitude in study and work, and have motivation for life-long learning.

  • Flower, C.M.R. (2005), The Solid Earth: An introduction to Global Geophysics, 2nd Edition, Cambridge University Press, pp 685.
  • Turcotte, D. L. and Schubert, G. (2002), Geodynamics, 2nd Edition, Cambridge University Press, pp 472.
  • Course Outline:

    1. Introduction
      • Spheres of the Earth. Hazard, energy resources on the Earth
      • Brief overview of internal structure of the Earth
    2. Plate Tectonics
      • History of Plate Tectonics
      • Plate motion and rotation
      • Earth’s Magnetic field
      • Paleomagnetic field and past plate motion
    3. Seismology
      • Earthquake and Plate Tectonics. Seismic Hazard
      • Seismogram. Earthquake location, magnitude, energy, and focal mechanism
      • Seismic waves
      • Interior of the Earth
      • Refraction and reflection seismology
    4. Gravity
      • Gravitational potential
      • Gravity and shape of the Earth
      • Gravity anomalies
    5. Heat
      • Conductive heat flow
      • Calculation of geotherms
    6. Oceanic and Continental Lithosphere

    Homework Assignment:

    There will be 6 home assignments (twice a month) in total, which will involve driving equations, solving geophysics-related problems, computer simulations, or data analysis.

    Exams:

    There will be a mid-term exam and a final exam.

    Course Project:

    Every student will work on a project related to the topic of this course. This can be literature review of a selected topic, a research project involving data analysis, calculations, or theoretical studies done in consultation with the instructor. The topic of the research project needs to be approved by the instructor before mid-term exam.

    Grading:

    Quiz and Homework Assignment (30%), Mid-term Exam (20%), Class Project (20%), Final Exam (30%)

    Academic honesty and plagiarism:

    Attention is drawn to University policy and regulations on honesty in academic work, and to the disciplinary guidelines and procedures applicable to breaches of such policy and regulations. Details may be found at http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/policy/academichonesty/.

    With each assignment, students will be required to submit a signed declaration that they are aware of these policies, regulations, guidelines and procedures. For group projects, all students of the same group should be asked to sign the declaration.
    For assignments in the form of a computer-generated document that is principally text-based and submitted via VeriGuide, the statement, in the form of a receipt, will be issued by the system upon students’ uploading of the soft copy of the assignment. Assignments without the receipt will not be graded by teachers. Only the final version of the assignment should be submitted via VeriGuide.