OLD TEXT 4th Edition to be replaced: This is a masterly exposition and an encyclopedic presentation of the theory of hyperbolic conservation laws. It illustrates the essential role of continuum thermodynamics in providing motivation and direction for the development of the mathematical theory while also serving as the principal source of applications. The reader is expected to have a certain mathematical sophistication and to be familiar with (at least) the rudiments of analysis and the qualitative theory of partial differential equations, whereas prior exposure to continuum physics is not required. The target group of readers would consist of (a) experts in the mathematical theory of hyperbolic systems of conservation laws who wish to learn about the connection with classical physics; (b) specialists in continuum mechanics who may need analytical tools; (c) experts in numerical analysis who wish to learn the underlying mathematical theory; and (d) analysts and graduate students who seek introduction to the theory of hyperbolic systems of conservation laws. This new edition places increased emphasis on hyperbolic systems of balance laws with dissipative source, modeling relaxation phenomena. It also presents an account of recent developments on the Euler equations of compressible gas dynamics. Furthermore, the presentation of a number of topics in the previous edition has been revised, expanded and brought up to date, and has been enriched with new applications to elasticity and differential geometry. The bibliography, also expanded and updated, now comprises close to two thousand titles. From the reviews of the 3rd edition: "This is the third edition of the famous book by C.M. Dafermos. His masterly written book is, surely, the most complete exposition in the subject." Evgeniy Panov, Zentralblatt MATH "A monumental book encompassing all aspects of the mathematical theory of hyperbolic conservation laws, widely recognized as the "Bible" on the subject." Philippe G. LeFloch, Math. Reviews

This book contains several introductory texts concerning the main directions in the theory of evolutionary partial differential equations. The main objective is to present clear, rigorous,and in depth surveys on the most important aspects of the present theory. The table of contents includes: W.Arendt: Semigroups and evolution equations: Calculus, regularity and kernel estimatesA.Bressan: The front tracking method for systems of conservation lawsE.DiBenedetto, J.M.Urbano,V.Vespri: Current issues on singular and degenerate evolution equations;L.Hsiao, S.Jiang: Nonlinear hyperbolic-parabolic coupled systemsA.Lunardi: Nonlinear parabolic equations and systemsD.Serre:L1-stability of nonlinear waves in scalar conservation laws B.Perthame:Kinetic formulations of parabolic and hyperbolic PDE's: from theory to numerics

This book is not a textbook, but rather a coherent collection of papers from the field of partial differential equations. Nevertheless we believe that it may very well serve as a good introduction into some topics of this classical field of analysis which, despite of its long history, is highly modem and well prospering. Richard Courant wrote in 1950: "It has always been a temptationfor mathematicians to present the crystallized product of their thought as a deductive general theory and to relegate the individual mathematical phenomenon into the role of an example. The reader who submits to the dogmatic form will be easily indoctrinated. Enlightenment, however, must come from an understanding of motives; live mathematical development springs from specific natural problems which can be easily understood, but whose solutions are difficult and demand new methods or more general significance. " We think that many, if not all, papers of this book are written in this spirit and will give the reader access to an important branch of analysis by exhibiting interest ing problems worth to be studied. Most of the collected articles have an extensive introductory part describing the history of the presented problems as well as the state of the art and offer a well chosen guide to the literature. This way the papers became lengthier than customary these days, but the level of presentation is such that an advanced graduate student should find the various articles both readable and stimulating.

This volume presents the state of the art in several directions of research conducted by renowned mathematicians who participated in the research program on Nonlinear Partial Differential Equations at the Centre for Advanced Study at the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters, Oslo, Norway, during the academic year 2008-09. The main theme of the volume is nonlinear partial differential equations that model a wide variety of wave phenomena. Topics discussed include systems of conservation laws, compressible Navier-Stokes equations, Navier-Stokes-Korteweg type systems in models for phase transitions, nonlinear evolution equations, degenerate/mixed type equations in fluid mechanics and differential geometry, nonlinear dispersive wave equations (Korteweg-de Vries, Camassa-Holm type, etc.), and Poisson interface problems and level set formulations.

These notes developed from a course on the numerical solution of conservation laws first taught at the University of Washington in the fall of 1988 and then at ETH during the following spring. The overall emphasis is on studying the mathematical tools that are essential in de veloping, analyzing, and successfully using numerical methods for nonlinear systems of conservation laws, particularly for problems involving shock waves. A reasonable un derstanding of the mathematical structure of these equations and their solutions is first required, and Part I of these notes deals with this theory. Part II deals more directly with numerical methods, again with the emphasis on general tools that are of broad use. I have stressed the underlying ideas used in various classes of methods rather than present ing the most sophisticated methods in great detail. My aim was to provide a sufficient background that students could then approach the current research literature with the necessary tools and understanding. vVithout the wonders of TeX and LaTeX, these notes would never have been put together. The professional-looking results perhaps obscure the fact that these are indeed lecture notes. Some sections have been reworked several times by now, but others are still preliminary. I can only hope that the errors are not too blatant. Moreover, the breadth and depth of coverage was limited by the length of these courses, and some parts are rather sketchy.