This book shows how energy flow plays a major role in: plate tectonics; the formation of continents; ocean basins; and building mountains. Energy flow also produces and drives volcanos, Earth's magnetic field, the wind belts, our weather, and ocean circulation. The studies of convection cells, eddies, and energy flow all contribute to our understanding of how they are all formed and driven. Insight accumulated during 55 years of research is presented using simple fluid mechanics. The mathematics is algebra. No calculus or advanced geometry is used, so the text is readable to a broad audience. Some laboratory and computer studies are described that help to visualize the applications. This book should appeal to anyone interested in how energy flow is responsible for much of the earth's larger workings. In addition to the general public, these include people who work in applied mathematics, fluid mechanics, earth science, and climate.

Narrates the role of energy flows in geological processes Presents straightforward methods for estimating energy flow Focuses on the source of the energy flow

Inhalt

1. An Introduction to Energy Flow and the Discovery of the Great Plates.- 2. Spontaneous Production of Flow PatternsCellular Convection.- 3. Energetics of Mantle Convection.- 4. Energy Flow and Magma Generation.- 5. Power and the Building of Continents, Mountains, and the Ocean Basins.