This book describes the tectonic landforms resulting from major internal and external forces acting on the outer layers of solid bodies throughout the Solar System. It presents a detailed survey of tectonic structures at a range of length scales found on Mercury, Venus, the Moon, Mars, the outer planet satellites, and asteroids. A diverse range of models for the sources of tectonic stresses acting on silicate and icy crusts is outlined, comparing processes acting throughout the Solar System. Rheological and mechanical properties of planetary crusts and lithospheres are discussed to understand how and why tectonic stresses manifest themselves differently on various bodies. Results from fault population data are assessed in detail. The book provides methods for mapping and analyzing planetary tectonic features, and is illustrated with diagrams and spectacular images returned by manned and robotic spacecraft. It forms an essential reference for researchers and students in planetary geology and tectonics.

This book describes the tectonic landforms resulting from major internal and external forces acting on the outer layers of solid bodies throughout the Solar System. It presents a detailed survey of tectonic structures at a range of length scales found on Mercury, Venus, the Moon, Mars, the outer planet satellites, and asteroids. A diverse range of models for the sources of tectonic stresses acting on silicate and icy crusts is outlined, comparing processes acting throughout the Solar System. Rheological and mechanical properties of planetary crusts and lithospheres are discussed to understand how and why tectonic stresses manifest themselves differently on various bodies. Results from fault population data are assessed in detail. The book provides methods for mapping and analyzing planetary tectonic features, and is illustrated with diagrams and spectacular images returned by manned and robotic spacecraft. It forms an essential reference for researchers and students in planetary geology and tectonics.

This lively introduction to geologic fracture mechanics provides a consistent treatment of all common geologic structural discontinuities. It explores the formation, growth and interpretation of fractures and deformation bands, from theoretical, field and lab-based perspectives, bridging the gap between a general textbook treatment and the more advanced research literature. It allows the reader to acquire basic tools to interpret discontinuity origins, geometries, patterns and implications using many of the leading and contemporary concepts known to specialists in the field. Problem sets are provided at the end of each chapter, and worked examples are included within each chapter to illustrate topics and enable self-study. With all common geologic structures including joints, hydrofractures, faults, stylolites and deformation bands being discussed from a fresh perspective, it will be a useful reference for advanced students, researchers and industry practitioners interested in structural geology, neotectonics, rock mechanics, planetary geology, and reservoir geomechanics.

The US Symposium on Rock Mechanics, held at Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada, is the 35th in a continuing series of now biennial meetings organized to support the national and trans-national interests of US scientists, engineers, consultants, students, and technologists interested in rock mechanics and rock engineering. The reviewed papers contained in this volume represent one or more aspects of this interdisciplinary field. This volume contains a total of 133 papers selected from 241 abstracts, in addition to 2 invited papers prepared on broad multidisciplinary issues. Session topics include: Construction; surface excavation; stability and shear strength of fractured rock; laboratory testing; rock dynamics; stress measurements; tunnels and groundwater flow; petroleum; tool-rock interaction; building stone durability; rock reinforcement; fracture mechanics; radioactive waste disposal; underground mining; fragmentation and blasting; metal mining, coal mining; planetary rock mechanics; rock properties; stochastic methods; theoretical and model studies; hydrology; and rock creep. Field trips and informal discussions associated with the symposium form an integral part of technical and social interaction among participants. Although much attention is devoted in the technical program to areas of major national concern in which rock mechanics problems represent critical or limiting factors - including energy, tunneling and excavation, waste disposal, and reactor siting - papers were sought and received with the widest possible scope of research and applications.