The major theme of this book is scientific evaluation of different categories of unusual phenomena i.e. precursors prior to large earthquakes and the explanation of their occurrence using electromagnetic models. In addition focus has been targeted to consider various scientific methods in the arena of interdisciplinary fields mainly on the short term forecasting of the large earthquakes, which is making a remarkable progress in recent years. The book presents an integrated approach to the concept of earthquake prediction as a whole, based on studies of precursors related to the living things, underground, land and atmosphere. The book will play an important role in the understanding and developing new and effective systems for earthquake prediction, based on multidisciplinary approach, which will ultimately help in reducing the earthquake related loss of lives and property.

This book examines different classical and modern aspects of geophysical data processing and inversion with emphasis on the processing of seismic records in applied seismology.

Chapter 1 introduces basic concepts including: probability theory (expectation operator and ensemble statistics), elementary principles of parameter estimation, Fourier and z-transform essentials, and issues of orthogonality. In Chapter 2, the linear treatment of time series is provided. Particular attention is paid to Wold decomposition theorem and time series models (AR, MA, and ARMA) and their connection to seismic data analysis problems. Chapter 3 introduces concepts of Information theory and contains a synopsis of those topics that are used throughout the book. Examples are entropy, conditional entropy, Burg's maximum entropy spectral estimator, and mutual information. Chapter 4 provides a description of inverse problems first from a deterministic point of view, then from a probabilistic one. Chapter 5 deals with methods to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of seismic records. Concepts from previous chapters are put in practice for designing prediction error filters for noise attenuation and high-resolution Radon operators. Chapter 6 deals with the topic of deconvolution and the inversion of acoustic impedance. The first part discusses band-limited extrapolation assuming a known wavelet and considers the issue of wavelet estimation. The second part deals with sparse deconvolution using various 'entropy' type norms. Finally, Chapter 7 introduces recent topics of interest to the authors.

The emphasis of this book is on applied seismology but researchers in the area of global seismology, and geophysical signal processing and inversion will find material that is relevant to the ubiquitous problem of estimating complex models from a limited number of noisy observations.
* Non-conventional approaches to data processing and inversion are presented
* Important problems in the area of seismic resolution enhancement are discussed
* Contains research material that could inspire graduate students and their supervisors to undertake new research directions in applied seismology and geophysical signal processing

Earthquakes rank among the most terrifying natural disasters faced by mankind. Out of a clear blue sky-or worse, a jet black one-comes shaking strong enough to hurl furniture across the room, human bodies out of bed, and entire houses off of their foundations. When the dust settles, the immediate aftermath of an earthquake in an urbanized society can be profound. Phone and water supplies can be disrupted for days, fires erupt, and even a small number of overpass collapses can snarl traffic for months. However, when one examines the collective responses of developed societies to major earthquake disasters in recent historic times, a somewhat surprising theme emerges: not only determination, but resilience; not only resilience, but acceptance; not only acceptance, but astonishingly, humor. Elastic rebound is one of the most basic tenets of modern earthquake science, the term that scientists use to describe the build-up and release of energy along faults. It is also the best metaphor for societal responses to major earthquakes in recent historic times. After The Earth Quakes focuses on this theme, using a number of pivotal and intriguing historic earthquakes as illustration. The book concludes with a consideration of projected future losses on an increasingly urbanized planet, including the near-certainty that a future earthquake will someday claim over a million lives. This grim prediction impels us to take steps to mitigate earthquake risk, the innately human capacity for rebound notwithstanding.

Published by the American Geophysical Union as part of the Geophysical Monograph Series, Volume 160.Understanding the inner workings of our planet and its relationship to processes closer to the surface remains a frontier in the geosciences. Manmade probes barely reach 10 km depth and volcanism rarely brings up samples from deeper than 150 km. These distances are dwarfed by Earth's dimensions, and our knowledge of the deeper realms is pieced together from a range of surface observables, meteorite and solar atmosphere analyses, experimental and theoretical mineral physics and rock mechanics, and computer simulations. A major unresolved issue concerns the nature of mantle convection, the slow (1-5 cm/year) solid-state stirring that helps cool the planet by transporting radiogenic and primordial heat from Earth's interior to its surface.

Expanding our knowledge here requires input from a range of geoscience disciplines, including seismology, geodynamics, mineral physics, and mantle petrology and chemistry. At the same time, with better data sets and faster computers, seismologists are producing more detailed models of 3-D variations in the propagation speed of different types of seismic waves; new instrumentation and access to state-of-the-art community facilities such as synchrotrons have enabled mineral physicists to measure rock and mineral properties at ever larger pressures and temperatures; new generations of mass spectrometers are allowing geo-chemists to quantify minute concentrations of diagnostic isotopes; and with supercomputers geodynamicists are making increasingly realistic simulations of dynamic processes at conditions not attainable in analogue experiments. But many questions persist. What causes the lateral variations in seismic wavespeed that we can image with mounting accuracy? How reliable are extrapolations of laboratory measurements on simple materials over many orders of magnitude of pressure and temperature? What are the effects of volatiles and minor elements on rock and mineral properties under extreme physical conditions? Can ab initio calculations help us understand material behavior in conditions that are still out of reach of laboratory measurement? What was the early evolution of our planet and to what extent does it still influence present-day dynamics? And how well do we know such first-order issues as the average bulk composition of Earth?

This report summarizes the damage done to various lifelines from the 6.8 MW earthquake that occurred in the coastal waters off the Boumerdes Department, East of Algiers, Algeria, on May 21, 2003. An estimated 2,266 people were killed, 10,260 injured, and more than 200,000 left homeless. Many of the three- to five-story reinforced concrete apartment buildings, less than three years old, were destroyed by either total or partial collapse. Readers will benefit from the Lessons Learned sections, which analyze other lifeline systems and compares expected earthquake performance without having to go through an earthquake. The lessons will minimize damage, save money, and reduce recovery time. The Earthquake Investigations Committee of the Technical Council of Lifeline Earthquake Engineering (TCLEE) of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) was established to initiate, organize, train for, coordinate, and evaluate the performance of lifelines following earthquakes. The topics include: Geosciences and Geotechnical Engineering; General Building Damage; Potable Water Systems; Power Systems; The Highway System; Ports and Airports; Railroads; Communication Systems; Oil and Liquid Fuels; Hospitals; and Emergency Response.

This report provides a record of lifeline performance during the two most damaging U.S. earthquakes at the start of 21st century. Information is provided on current seismic practice, on the seismic resistance and vulnerability of different infrastructure, and on the present understanding of engineers who design roads, bridges, pipelines, and power systems. This monograph will be useful to researchers, practicing engineers, and administrators interested in the repercussions of building lifelines near earthquake faults, on seasonally frozen soils, on loose sands and alluvium, and in regions with complex or unknown seismicity. The Earthquake Investigations Committee of the Technical Council of Lifeline Earthquake engineering (TCLEE), American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) was established to initiate, organize, train for, coordinate, and evaluate the performance of lifelines following earthquakes. It includes topics on the San Simeon Earthquake: Seismology and Geotechnical Issues; Communications; Dams; Power Systems; Gas and Liquid Fuel; Highways and Bridges; Airports and Ports; Railroads; Water Systems; Wastewater Systems; and Emergency Response. Topics on the Denali Earthquake: Seismology and Geotechnical Issues; Highway System; Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS); Airports; Water and Wastewater; Communications; Railways; and Electric Power.

This is the first book to really make sense of the dizzying array of information that has emerged in recent decades about earthquakes. Susan Hough, a research seismologist in one of North America's most active earthquake zones and an expert at communicating this complex science to the public, separates fact from fiction. She fills in many of the blanks that remained after plate tectonics theory, in the 1960s, first gave us a rough idea of just what earthquakes are about. How do earthquakes start? How do they stop? Do earthquakes occur at regular intervals on faults? If not, why not? Are earthquakes predictable? How hard will the ground shake following an earthquake of a given magnitude? How does one quantify future seismic hazard?

As Hough recounts in brisk, jargon-free prose, improvements in earthquake recording capability in the 1960s and 1970s set the stage for a period of rapid development in earthquake science. Although some formidable enigmas have remained, much has been learned on critical issues such as earthquake prediction, seismic hazard assessment, and ground motion prediction. This book addresses those issues.

Because earthquake science is so new, it has rarely been presented outside of technical journals that are all but opaque to nonspecialists. "Earthshaking Science" changes all this. It tackles the issues at the forefront of modern seismology in a way most readers can understand. In it, an expert conveys not only the facts, but the passion and excitement associated with research at the frontiers of this fascinating field. Hough proves, beyond a doubt, that this passion and excitement is more accessible than one might think.

"This is the most complete reference available on Texas earthquakes.... Its general information on earthquakes, presented in a humorous and understandable manner, will even make the text attractive to non-Texans who want to know more about earthquakes." -- Diane I. Doser, Professor of Geology, University of Texas at El Paso

When nature goes haywire in Texas, it isn't usually an earthshaking event. Though droughts, floods, tornadoes, and hail all keep Texans talking about the unpredictable weather, when it comes to earthquakes, most of us think we're on terra firma in this state. But we're wrong! Nearly every year, earthquakes large enough to be felt by the public occur somewhere in Texas.

This entertaining, yet authoritative book covers "all you really need to know" about earthquakes in general and in Texas specifically. The authors explain how earthquakes are caused by natural forces or human activities, how they're measured, how they can be predicted, and how citizens and governments should prepare for them. They also thoroughly discuss earthquakes in Texas, looking at the occurrences and assessing the risks region by region and comparing the amount of seismic activity in Texas to other parts of the country and the world. The book concludes with a compendium of over one hundred recorded earthquakes in Texas from 1811 to 2000 that briefly describes the location, timing, and effects of each event.

In the late afternoon of June 23, 2001, a colossal earthquake with a magnitude of 8.4Mw took place in the coastal waters off the District of Arequipa and the town of Atico, Peru. The magnitude of the event makes it the largest in the world in the last 25 years. This earthquake caused nearly 2000 deaths, 3,000 injuries, 26,000 homes destroyed, 34,000 damaged homes and left 190,000 people homeless. The Post Earthquake Investigation Committee of the Technical Council on Lifeline Earthquake Engineering (TCLEE), a technical council of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) organized a team of five TCLEE members with support from ASCE to perform a reconnaissance of the lifelines. This report highlights damage and impacts to the various lifelines: Water, Railroads, Highway Systems, Power Systems, Airports, and Communications in southern Peru. This unusual earthquake caused damage in cities 300 to 500 km southeasterly from the original epicenter (Atico) rather than the closer cities, impacting those lifelines. The main geotechnical feature of this event was shaking induced landslides, rock falls, and subsidence associated with poorly compacted fills, steep cut slopes, and differential settlement at cut/fill interfaces.

Seismic Evaluation of Existing Buildings (ASCE 31-03), provides a three-tiered process for seismic evaluation of existing buildings in any level of seismicity. Buildings are evaluated to either the Life Safety or Immediate Occupancy Performance Level. This standard is intended to serve as a nationally applicable tool for design professionals, code officials, and building owners looking to seismically evaluate existing buildings. A major portion is dedicated to instructing the evaluating design professional on how to determine if a building is adequately designed and constructed to resist seismic forces. The design of mitigation measures is not addressed in this standard. ""ASCE 31-03"" is intended to replace ""FEMA 310, Handbook for Seismic Evaluation of Buildings - A Prestandard"" (FEMA, 1998). All aspects of building performance are considered and defined in terms of structural, nonstructural, and foundation/geologic hazard issues. This standard was written to: reflect advancements in technology; incorporate the experience of design professionals; incorporate lessons learned during recent earthquakes; be compatible with ""FEMA 356, Prestandard and Commentary for the Seismic Rehabilitation of Buildings"" (FEMA, 2000c); be suitable for adoption in building codes and contracts; be nationally applicable; and provide evaluation techniques.

This report details the effects of the two earthquakes that occurred in El Salvador on January 13 and February 13, 2001. The first earthquake had a magnitude of 7.6 and the second had a magnitude of 6.6. The catastrophic damage was estimated at $1.6 billion. The significant lifeline disruption was due to landslides, which closed the major PanAmerican Highway and the highway to the International airport, as well as disrupted power, communication, street lighting, roads and water systems. The technological Council on Lifeline Earthquake Engineering (TCLEE) of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) established the Earthquake Investigation Committee to initiate, organize, train for, coordinate, and evaluate the performance of lifelines following earthquakes. Their findings are contained in this report.

Published by the American Geophysical Union as part of the Geophysical Monograph Series, Volume 136.A singular event in Earth's history occurred roughly 200 million years ago, as rifting of the largest and most recent supercontinent was joined by basaltic volcanism that formed the most extensive large igneous province (LIP) known. A profound and widespread mass extinction of terrestrial and marine genera occurred at about the same time, suggesting a causal link between the biological transitions of the Triassic-Jurassic boundary and massive volcanism. A series of stratigraphic, geochronologic, petrologic, tectonic, and geophysical studies have led to the identification of the dispersed remnants of this Central Atlantic Magmatic Province (CAMP) on the rifted margins of four continents. Current discoveries are generally interpreted to indicate that CAMP magmatism occurred in a relative and absolute interval of geologic time that was brief, and point to mechanisms of origin and global environmental effects. Because many of these discoveries have occurred within the past several years, in this monograph we summarize new observations and provide an up-to-date review of the province.

A group of distinguished scientists contributes to the foundations of a new discipline in Earth sciences: earthquake thermodynamics and thermodynamics of formation of the Earth's interior structures. The predictive powers of thermodynamics are so great that those aspiring to model earthquake and the Earth's interior will certainly wish to be able to use the theory. Thermodynamics is our only method of understanding and predicting the behavior of many environmental, atmospheric, and geological processes. The need for Earth scientists to develop a functional knowledge of thermodynamic concepts and methodology is therefore urgent. Sources of an entropy increase the dissipative and self-organizing systems driving the evolution and dynamics of the Universe and Earth through irreversible processes. The non-linear interactions lead to the formation of fractal structures. From the structural phase transformations the important interior boundaries emerge.
Non-linear interactions between the defects in solids lead the authors to develop the physics of continua with a dense distribution of defects. Disclinations and dislocations interact during a slow evolution as well as during rapid dynamic events, like earthquakes. Splitting the dynamic processes into the 2D fault done and 3D surrounding space brings a new tool for describing the slip nucleation and propagation along the earthquake faults. Seismic efficiency, rupture velocity, and complexity of seismic source zone are considered from different points of view, fracture band earthquake model is developed on the basis of thermodynamics of line defects, like dislocations. Earthquake thermodynamics offers us a microscopic model of earthquake sources.
Physics of defects helps the authors decscribe and explain a number of precursory phenomena caused by the buildup of stresses. Anomalies in electric polarization and electromagnetic radiation prior to earthquakes are considered from this point of view. Through the thermodynamic approach, the authors arrive at the fascinating question of posssibility of earthquake prediction. In general, the Earth is considered here as a multicomponent system. Transport phenomena as well as wave propagation and shock waves are considered in this system subjected also to chemical and phase transformations.

On August 17, 1999, the Izmit (Kocaeli) Earthquake tore through Kocaeli, Turkey, resulting in over 15,000 deaths and 27,000 injuries; 200,000 people were left homeless. The electric power system, nearly destroyed, sustained over US$70 million in damage. Another earthquake, November 12, to the east of Izmit at Duzce, added to the lifeline systems damage, impacting the communications system, water and wastewater system, ports, railway, road, and bridges. The Earthquake Investigation Committee of the Technical Council of Lifeline Earthquake Engineering (TCLEE), American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), established to initiate, organize, train for, coordinate, and evaluate the performance of lifelines following earthquakes, sent volunteers to Turkey to gather data to provide information for practitioners to improve the performance of the lifeline systems. Their findings are contained in this report. The topics include: seismology, geology, and geotechnical issues; electric power; airports; telecommunications; water and wastewater; transportation (highways and bridges); liquid fuel facilities; railway; ports; hospitals; social impacts; and emergency response and recovery.

New techniques such as the shear wave velocity techniques, electrical methods, and ground penetrating radar have potential for providing new, reliable information. Results presented in these papers collectively demonstrate that these new techniques should be given serious consideration for predicting the liquefaction behavior of saturated sands during earthquakes. This proceeding presents nondestructive site characterization and property evaluation, constitutive modeling and numerical procedures, and applications. The papers cover: details on the use of an electrical technique for evaluating in situ properties; the use of ground penetrating radar for predicting changes in soil density during soil liquefaction; how shear wave velocities measured in situ are capable of predicting the liquefaction potential; the constitutive modeling of flow liquefaction and cyclic mobility in detail; soil-pile structure interaction in liquefiable soils; and non-destructive electrical in situ site characterization to quantify the initial state parameters and constitutive model constants representative of the site for use in verified numerical procedures.

This standard, ""Earthquake-Actuated Automatic Gas Shutoff Devices (ASCE 25-97)"", provides minimum functionality requirements for earthquake-actuated automatic gas shutoff devices and systems meant to include mechanical devices consisting of a sensing means and a means to shut off the flow of gaseous fuels. It basically applies to single-family or multi-family structures of three stories or less. The seismic performance requirements established by this Standard are based upon data from recent earthquakes, primarily in Southern California.

The January 17, 1995, Hyogoken-Nanbu earthquake struck the Kobe, Japan area. The earthquake and subsequent fires resulted in 6,300 deaths; 30,000 injuries; destruction of 150,000 buildings; and left 300,000 homeless. The estimated direct economic losses are $200 billion. The lifelines, which were concentrated adjacent to Osaka Bay, were in soft soils or fill that both amplified earthquake motions and liquefied. Transportation systems were severely disrupted and restoration of two primary expressways required 20 months. The gas, water, and wastewater systems were severely damaged and restoration required about three months. Power systems and communication systems were damaged; however, service at substations and central offices was restored in about a day and repair of damage to the distribution systems required weeks. Lifeline damage also contributed to fire losses for several reasons: gas leaks provided fuel for many fire ignitions; the restoration of power was also a source of fire ignition; water system damage deprived fire fighters of water to contain and extinguished fires; and damage to roadways prevented fire fighters from reaching fires. The disruption of electric power and water to hospitals was very disruptive to service. Some emergency power generators used city water for cooling and could not be used due to the loss of water. Water, which was needed for many critical hospital functions, was not available.

This proceedings, "Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering and Soil Dynamics III", contains 116 papers presented at the 1998 Specialty Conference on Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering and Soil Dynamics sponsored by the Geo-Institute of the American Society of Civil Engineers. The conference was held in Seattle, Washington, August 3-6, 1998. This conference is the third in a series of specialty conferences that have been held at ten-year intervals. This proceedings covers a broad field of topics that includes: ground motion; seismic hazard in the Pacific Northwest; seismic hazard analysis and design motions; dynamic soil properties; cyclic behavior of soils; liquefaction; experimental verification by model testing; site characterization; ground improvement; site response; displacement-based design; dams and embankments; retaining and waterfront structures; underground structures; and non-seismic and blasting vibrations. The monograph also includes ten invited papers on Emerging Art by outstanding researchers and practitioners. These papers focus on developments in important areas of geotechnical earthquake engineering practice in the past 10 years, and on anticipated developments in the next 10 years.

The Story of Earthquakes and Volcanoes

"An excellent survey of earthquakes and their effects--their mystery, terror, and science, and how we are learning to control their forces."--Christopher Arnold, president, Building Systems Development

We expect everything to move except the earth! Anyone who has ever experienced an earthquake or seen news footage of cracking buildings and swaying bridges can appreciate the awe and fear that moving earth can inspire. This book unravels the mystery and the marvel of one of natures most unpredictable and terrifying phenomena: the earthquake.

With a lively text and over 100 illustrations, two of the worlds premier structural engineers take us on a fascinating trip from the Earths beginnings to recent developments in seismic technology. It is one told through the stories of the worst natural disasters of all time: Lisbon, San Francisco, Alaska, Vesuvius, Krakatau, Mount St. Helens. These earthshaking events form the background for an exploration of the nature of earthquakes and volcanoes, the prediction of their behavior, and an up-to-date description of the measures we can take to protect ourselves from their destructive nature.

Matthys Levy, an architectural engineer, has won numerous awards, including the AIA Institute Honor Award. Mario Salvadori is James Renwick Professor Emeritus of Civil Engineering and Professor Emeritus of Architecture at Columbia University. Both authors are principals of Weidlinger Associates, one of Americas leading structural engineering firms, and live in New York City.

This book is a paperback reprint of Advances in Geophysics, Volume 35 (1994, Academic Press). It provides an overview of the dramatic progress made in illuminating the properties of deep slabs and the surrounding mantle since the introduction of the plate tectonics model to the earth sciences more than 25 years ago. The thermal and chemical characteristics of the subducted lithosphere are determined through thermal and petrological modeling, with seismological observations providing critical constraints on model parameters. Down-wellings of the oceanic lithosphere play a critical role in plate tectonics by recycling to the mantle material that has risen at mid-ocean ridges and cooled at the earth's surface. To assist future efforts in developing detailed thermal and petrological models of oceanic lithosphere down-wellings, this volume includes a comprehensive review of seismological observations and models. A range of seismological procedures are considered, from travel time constraints on seismic velocity anomalies in the subducting lithospheric slabs, to wave conversions and reflections off internal and external slab boundaries. An extensive reference list will be useful to earth science researchers and seismological specialists as a directory to most of the critical literature on slab structure.

* Provides a comprehensive, chronological summary of seismological studies of slab structure
* Reviews 25-year history of progress in the field
* Distills the many contributions that provide a foundation for mastering the roots of the ideas and observations underlying todays paradigms
* Includes an extensive bibliography
* Effectively organized for course presentation

Intended as an introduction to the field, Modern Global Seismology is a complete, self-contained primer on seismology. It features extensive coverage of all related aspects, from observational data through prediction, emphasizing the fundamental theories and physics governing seismic waves--both natural and anthropogenic. Based on thoroughly class-tested material, the text provides a unique perspective on the earths large-scale internal structure and dynamic processes, particularly earthquake sources, and on the application of theory to the dynamic processes of the earths upper skin.
Authored by two experts in the field of geophysics. this insightful text is designed for the first-year graduate course in seismology. Exploration seismologists will also find it an invaluable resource on topics such as elastic-wave propagation, seismicinstrumentation, and seismogram analysis useful in interpreting their high-resolution images of structure for oil and mineral resource exploration.
Key Features
* More than 400 illustrations, many from recent research articles, help readers visualize mathematical relationships
* 49 Boxed Features explain advanced topics
* Provides readers with the most in-depth presentation of earthquake physics available
* Contains incisive treatments of seismic waves, waveform evaluation and modeling, and seismotectonics
* Provides quantitative treatment of earthquake source mechanics
* Contains numerous examples of modern broadband seismic recordings
* Fully covers current seismic instruments and networks
* Demonstrates modern waveform inversion methods
* Includes extensive references for further reading

The length of Aegean arc in south-west Turkey has been deter mined by the use of intermediate focal depth earthquakes which occurred between 1900-1985 in the south-west of Turkey (34.00- 38.00 Nand 27.00-32.00 E). Intermediate focal depth earthqua kes in south-west Turkey revealed the presence of a seismic Benioff zone caused by underthrusting of the African litho spheric plate by the Aegean arc. In order to determine the geometry of underthrustin%detailed epicenter maps of the in termediate depth earthquakes in south-west of Turkey were pre pared. It is known that these earthquakes brought great harm in the past. Investigation of time distribution of them will help to predict the occurrence of them in the future. These intermediate focal depth earthquakes can be differenti ated from deep ones by their micro- and macroseismic proper ties. Papazachos (1969) and Comninakis (1970) found that the foci of these earthquakes are in a zone underthrusting exten ding from the East Mediterranean to the Aegean arc. Morgan (1968) and Le pichori (1968) defined three plates which are important in East Mediterranean tectonics. These are the Afri ca, Arabic and Eurasian plates. They define wide earthquake belt on the boundaries between the African and Eurasian plate."

From the Reviews of Previous Volumes
"This series has provided workers in many fields with invaluable reference material and criticism."
- SCIENCE PROGRESS
"Should be on the bookshelf of every geophysicist."
- PHYSICS TODAY
"The entire series should be in the library of every group working in geophysics"
- AMERICAN SCIENTIST

This monograph provides an overview of the progress made in illuminating the properties of deep slabs and the surrounding mantle, since the introduction of the plate tectonics model to the earth sciences 25 years ago.;The thermal and chemical characteristics of the subducted lithosphere are determined through thermal and petrological modelling, with seismological observations providing critical constraints on model parameters. Down-wellings of the oceanic lithosphere play a critical role in plate tectonics by recycling to the mantle material that has risen at mid-ocean ridges and cooled at the Earth's surface.;To assist future efforts in developing detailed thermal and petrological models of oceanic lithosphere down-wellings, this volume includes a review of seismological observations and models. A range of seismological procedures are considered, from travel time constraints on seismic velocity anomalies in the subducting lithospheric slabs, to wave conversions and reflections of internal and external slab boundaries. A reference list is included for earth science researchers and seismological specialists which lists most of the critical literature on slab structure.