- published: 10 Dec 2012
- views: 1718
Geodynamics is a subfield of geophysics dealing with dynamics of the Earth. It applies physics, chemistry and mathematics to the understanding of how mantle convection leads to plate tectonics and geologic phenomena such as seafloor spreading, mountain building, volcanoes, earthquakes, faulting and so on. It also attempts to probe the internal activity by measuring magnetic fields, gravity, and seismic waves, as well as the mineralogy of rocks and their isotopic composition. Methods of geodynamics are also applied to exploration of other planets.
Experts in geodynamics commonly use data from geodetic GPS, InSAR, and seismology, along with numerical models, to study the evolution of the Earth's lithosphere, mantle and core.
Work performed by geodynamicists may include:
A lot of geodynamics deals with the deformation of rocks in response to stresses. Stress is defined as the average force per unit area exerted on each part of the rock. The deformation can be measured as strain, a change in length normalized by the total length of the body. If the deformation is elastic, the rock can spring back to its original shape after the stress is released. In elastic solids, the strain is proportional to the stress.