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.

The critically acclaimed serialized review journal for over 50 years, Advances in Geophysics is a highly respected publication in the field of geophysics. Since 1952, each volume has been eagerly awaited, frequently consulted, and praised by researchers and reviewers alike. Now in its 56th volume, it contains much material still relevant today--truly an essential publication for researchers in all fields of geophysics.

This series provides a venue for longer reviews of current advances in geophysics. Written at a level accessible to graduate students, the articles serve to broaden knowledge of various fields and may be useful in courses and seminars.

This series provides a venue for longer reviews of current advances in geophysics. Written at a level accessible to graduate students, the articles serve to broaden knowledge of various fields and may be useful in courses and seminars.

Advances in Geophysics, Vol. 40 systematically compares many of the currently used statistical approaches to time series analysis and modeling to evaluate each method's robustness and application to geophysical datasets. This volume tackles the age-old problem of how to evaluate the relative roles of deterministic versus stochastic processes (signal vs noise) in their observations. The book introduces the fundamentals in sections titled "1.2 What is a Time Series? " and "1.3 How is a Time Series Quantified?," before diving into Spectral Analysis, Semivariograms, Rescaled-Range Analysis and Wavelet Analysis. The second half of the book applies their self-affine analysis to a number of geophysical time series (historical temperature records, drought hazard assessment, sedimentation in the context of hydrocarbon bearing strata, variability of the Earth's magnetic field).
This volume explores in detail one of the main components of noise, that of long-range persistence or memory. The first chapter is a broad summary of theory and techniques of long-range persistence in time series; the second chapter is the application of long-range persistence to a variety of geophysical time series.

From the Foreword:
"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

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.

El Nino and the Southern Oscillation is by far the most striking phenomenon caused by the interplay of ocean and atmosphere. It can be explained neither in strictly oceanographic nor strictly meteorological terms. This volume provides a brief history of the subject, summarizes the oceanographic and meteorological observations and theories, and discusses the recent advances in computer modeling studies of the phenomenon.
Key Features
* Includes a comprehensive and up-to-date research survey
* Discusses in detail sophisticated computer models
* Provides a clear exposition of the major problems which prevent more accurate predictions of El Nino

An Introduction to Mining Seismology describes comprehensively the modern methods and techniques used to monitor and study seismicity and rockbursts in mines. Key case histories from various worldwide mining districts clearly illustrate and skillfully emphasize the practical aspects of mining seismology. This text is intended as a handbook for geophysicists and mining and rock mechanics engineers working at mines. It will also serve as an essential reference tool for seismologists working at research institutions on local seismicity not necessarily induced by mining.
Key Features
* Presents a comprehensive description of seismicity induced by mining worldwide
* Provides information on optimum network planning and seismic event location procedures in deep mines
* Covers a broad array of topics including focal mechanism, moment tensor, and double-couple versus non-double-couple seismic events in mines
* Includes data on source parameters and scaling relations for seismic events in mines

The critically acclaimed serialized review journal for over 50 years, "Advances in Geophysics" is a highly respected publication in the field of geophysics. Since 1952, each volume has been eagerly awaited, frequently consulted, and praised by researchers and reviewers alike. Now in its 51st volume, it contains much material still relevant today--truly an essential publication for researchers in all fields of geophysics.

Earthquakes in shallow subduction zones account for the greatest part of seismic energy release in the Earth and often cause significant damage; in some cases they are accompanied by devastating tsunamis. Understanding the physics of seismogenic and tsunamigenic processes in such zones continues to be a challenging focus of ongoing research. The seismologic and geodetic work reported in this volume highlights the recent advances made toward quantifying and understandig the role of shallow plate coupling in the earthquake generation process. The relation between regional seismotectonics, features in the downgoing plate, and the slip distribution in earthquakes are examined for recent and great historical events. In addition to papers reporting new results, review articles on tsunami and tsunamigenic earthquakes and depth dependent plate interface properties are presented. These observational results, along with complementary laboratory and theoretical studies, can assist in assessing the seismic potential of a given region.

Tectonic processes occurring in shallow subduction zones around the world generate the majority of large, damaging earthquakes. Last decade brought more understanding of these processes, showing however, their complexity and diversity from place to place. A full understanding of the seismotectonics of shallow subduction zones is yet to be achieved, however the ambitious goal of forecasting at least the largest of earthquakes is certainly worth pursuing. The present volume reports the most recent research in this field and includes theoretical as well as observational works concerning seismicity, mechanics and seismic potential of subduction segments around the world. Topics covered in Part II include new inversions for two great Alaska-Aleutians earthquakes (1957 Aleutian and 1964 Prince William Sound), seismicity trends and potential for large earthquakes in the Alaska-Aleutian region, rupture process of large earthquakes in Northern Mexico, global variability in subduction thrust zone-forearc systems, and possible causal relationship between large subduction earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Part II is a companion volume to Part I, published in 1993.