Subduction is a major process that plays a first-order role in the dynamics of the Earth. The sinking of cold lithosphere into the mantle is thought by many authors to be the most important source of energy for plates driving forces. It also deeply modifies the thermal and chemical structure of the mantle, producing arc volcanism and is responsible for the release of most of the seismic energy on Earth. There has been considerable achievements done during the past decades regarding the complex interactions between the various processes acting in subduction zones. This volume contains a collection of contributions that were presented in June 2007 in Montpellier (France) during a conference that gave a state of the art panorama and discussed the perspectives about "Subduction Zone Geodynamics". The papers included in this special volume offer a unique multidisciplinary picture of the recent research on subduction zones geodynamics. They are organized into five main topics: Subduction zone geodynamics, Seismic tomography and anisotropy, Great subduction zone earthquakes, Seismogenic zone characterization, Continental and ridge subduction processes. Each of the 13 papers collected in the present volume is primarily concerned with one of these topics. However, it is important to highlight that papers always treat more than one topic so that all are related lighting on different aspects of the complex and fascinating subduction zones geodynamics.

A comprehensive guide to carbon inside Earth - its quantities, movements, forms, origins, changes over time and impact on planetary processes. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.

A fully updated third edition of this classic textbook, containing two new chapters on numerical modelling supported by online MATLAB® codes.

Geodynamics of the Latin American Pacific Margin presents a collection of 22 studies by a multinational group of investigators whose common interest is to better understand the complex geodynamic processes occurring along the Pacific margin of Latin America and the impact that these processes have on the local populace. Processes investigated in these papers include the subduction of buoyant ridges and spreading centers, ophiolite emplacement, plate margin truncation, forearc deformation, mantle convection, magma emplacement and associated continental rifting, and the release of energy by great earthquakes as well as slow slip events. These studies illustrate the vast and varied research opportunities that exist along the margin, and will be a welcome addition to the library of those who are actively investigating the geodynamics of the Latin American Pacific margin as well as those interested in the subduction process in general.

This book contains current results and ideas regarding the geodynamics of the Aegean and Anatolia.

This thesis is remarkable for the wide range of the techniques and observations used and for its insights, which cross several disciplines. It begins by solving a famous puzzle of the ancient world, which is what was responsible for the tsunami that destroyed settlements in the eastern Mediterranean in 365 AD. By radiocarbon dating of preserved marine organisms, Shaw demonstrates that the whole of western Crete was lifted out of the sea by up to 10 meters in a massive earthquake at that time, which occured on a previously unknown fault. The author shows that the resulting tsunami would have the characteristics described by ancient writers, and uses modern GPS measurements and coastline geomorphology to show that the strain build-up near Crete requires such a tsunami-earthquake about every 6.000 years - a major insight into Mediterranean tsunami hazard. A detailed seismological study of earthquakes in the Cretan arc over the last 50 years reveals other important features of its behaviour that were previously unknown. Finally, she provides fundamental insights into the limitations of radiocarbon dating marine organisms, relating to how they secrete carbon into their skeletons. The thesis resulted in three major papers in top journals.

This user-friendly reference for students and researchers presents the basic mathematical theory, before introducing modelling of key geodynamic processes.