Introduction to Geophysics (90' lecture)

Lars Stixrude

Link to Presentation slides (in PPT or PDF) format: GeoMineralQMC_Stixrude.ppt

Topics

Overview of sources of knowledge of the Earth's interior

• Seismology
• Gravity Field
• Magnetic Field
• Rotational dynamics

Overview of the role of mineral physics in geophysics

• Self-compression
• Adiabaticity
• Phase transformations
• Composition
• Temperature

Major outstanding problems

• Major element compositional heterogeneity in the mantle
• Thermal state and thermal evolution of the core
• Core-mantle interaction
• Water in the deep mantle
• Extrasolar planets

Some perspectives on opportunities for QMC

• Electronic transitions in transition metal oxides
• Hydrogen bonding

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