Planetary surface processes
By: H. Jay Melosh
Series: Cambridge planetary science; Cambridge planetary science series
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 2011
Place of publication: Cambridge, UK; New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 500
ISBN-13: 9780521514187
Subjects: Surfaces; Geomorphology; Planets
Description: "Planetary Surface Processes is the first advanced textbook to cover the full range of geologic processes that shape the surfaces of planetary-scale bodies. Using a modern, quantitative approach, this book reconsiders geologic processes outside the traditional terrestrial context. It highlights processes that are contingent upon Earth's unique circumstances and processes that are universal. For example, it shows explicitly that equations predicting the velocity of a river are dependent on gravity: traditional geomorphology textbooks fail to take this into account. This textbook is a one-stop source of information on planetary surface processes, providing readers with the necessary background to interpret new data from NASA, ESA and other space missions. Based on a course taught by the author at the University of Arizona for 25 years, it is aimed at advanced students, and is also an invaluable resource for researchers, professional planetary scientists and space-mission engineers"--
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: Machine generated contents note: Preface; 1. The grand tour; 2. The shapes of planets and moons; 3. Strength versus gravity; 4. Tectonics; 5. Volcanism; 6. Impact cratering; 7. Regoliths, weathering and surface texture; 8. Slopes and mass movement; 9. Wind; 10. Water; 11. Ice; References; Index.