Course finder

<< return to browsing

Full Year

Planetary Interiors (EASC10115)

Subject

Earth Science

College

SCE

Credits

20

Normal Year Taken

4

Delivery Session Year

2023/2024

Pre-requisites

Good background in mathematics and physics (at least 1st year); some basic geophysics knowledge.

Course Summary

The course studies (both radially-averaged and three-dimensional), composition and dynamics of the Earth, compares it to that of other solar system objects, and covers which geophysical methods we use to investigate them and how we use those methods, and some current controversies. Further Course Information https://path.is.ed.ac.uk/courses/EASC10115_SV1_YR http://www.drps.ed.ac.uk/19-20/dpt/cxeasc10115.htm

Course Description

Syllabus 1. The one-dimensional Earth and Earth materials reference Earth models and the data that go into them, composition of the mantle and core, composition changes as a function of depth, hydrostatic equilibrium and the effect of compression, the Adams-Williamson equation, ways of determining properties of materials at high temperature and pressure. 2. The crust-mantle system melting of rocks and chemical differentiation, radiometric dating and isotopic evolution. 3. Gravity and the geoid. 4. Mantle rheology and convection-types of deformation and mechanisms of creep, timescales on which they operate, observational information, Rayleigh number for the mantle, Newtonian and non-Newtonian mantle convection and plate tectonics. 5. The three-dimensional Earth mantle seismic tomography and its interpretation. 6. Core convection, structure and dynamics essential force balance, Navier-Stokes equation, essentials of the geodynamo including its energy source, waves in the core, inner core (including anisotropy, super-rotation). 7. The D" region structure, composition (including post-Perovskite, anisotropy), core-mantle coupling, influence on the geodynamo. 8. Cosmology, celestial mechanics, and the search for extrasolar planets. 9. Sending rockets, satellites and people to other planets. 10. Meteorites and their composition and origin. 11. Comparative Planetology surfaces, energy budgets, geophysical properties, and atmospheres.

Assessment Information

Written Exam 70%, Coursework 30%, Practical Exam 0%

Additional Assessment Information

Assessment details Written Exam: 70%, Course Work: 30%, Practical Exam: 0%. To pass you need to obtain an average of 40% or greater for the course - you do not need to pass both components. The course work consists of 3 parts: (1) a computer-based practical to infer density within the Earth (10%), (2) an individual 5- min presentation on written on a topic related to Planetary Colonization (10%) and (3) a group presentation on a key topic in Planetary Interiors (10%). Assessment deadlines Date Title Assessment Due Monday, Week 9, S1 Computer-based density practical Monday, Week 11, S1 Friday, Week 10, S1 5 minute presentations (formative) Same day Friday, Week 11, S1 5 minute presentations (summative) Same day Friday, Week 5, S2 Group presentations (formative) Same day Monday, Week 10, S2 Group presentations (summative) Same day

view the timetable and further details for this course