GG 304: Physics of
the Earth & Planets
Instructor: Garrett Ito (gito@hawaii.edu,
POST 810, office hours: Tue/Thu 4:00-5:00 p.m.)
T.A.
and Lab Instructor:
Ashton Flinders (flinders@ hawaii.edu)
Prerequisites: calculus and introductory
physics
Textbook: Fundamentals of Geophysics by
W. Lowrie
Course
Objectives:
·Improve abilities in independent reasoning and
problem solving, with emphasis on physics
·Enhance oral communication and team work skills
·Emphasize the use of the scientific method and
effective writing skills with laboratory exercises
·Improve skills in mathematics, physics, and
computer programming
·Provide firsthand experience with geophysical
methods of measuring Earth structure.
General
Information:
·Class time/place: 9:30 am – 10:20 pm, MWF, POST
708
·Class format: About 1/3
lecture (usually Mon.) and 2/3
class discussion
(usually Wed.
& Fri.), focused on reading and homework assignments. ASK QUESTIONS and do not leave class until
your questions are answered.
·Homework: Homework assignments
are expected to be done by the date designated for discussion and will be
turned each Friday. I encourage you to
work together on the problems but it is required that the work turned in is
yours and yours alone. Thus in all of your homework write-ups,
it is important to make your own reasoning clear.
This includes writing explanations
to equations and
explaining why you think your answers
are correct or not correct. Little credit will be given to unsupported solutions.
Here
are steps for producing an excellent geophysics homework solution:
(1)
Write down the information (e.g., known variables) given
(2)
Draw a picture when appropriate
(3)
Identify the pertinent governing equations and/or derive equations necessary to
solve the problem. Briefly summarize (a
few words is often sufficient) what the equations mean and/or why you use these
equations.
(4)
Solve the equations.
(5)
Check your answer. Check units. Does
your answer make physical sense? Why? Why not?
BUG the instructor (or TA) with questions. If you don’t ask, I’ll assume you understand
everything.
·Laboratory work: Tuesdays 1:30–4:20 pm, POST 733. Labs will
involve field experiments (using seismometers, gravimeters, etc.) as well as
computer programming and analysis. Lab
assignments are due the following Monday at the beginning of the lab.
·Late Homework/Lab policy: You have 3 ”grace days” for
late homework and 3 grace days for late lab reports. That is, you can turn in a
total of three assignments a day late, or one assignment three days late.
Assignments turned in late without ”grace credit” will be penalized by 20% per
day. Weekends count as 1.5 days.
·Grading Policy: Homework:
35%; Labs:
25%; Exams: 25%; Class participation: 15%
Working Course Syllabus
Math/Physics Review
Mon. 1/12 Physics:
kinematics & dynamics for linear and rotational motion
Tue. 1/13 Lab1: Matlab & Planet Orbits see example
Matlab script
Wed. 1/14 Discuss HW1A
Fri. 1/16 No
class (storm warning)
Chapter 2. Gravity and figure of
the Earth
Mon. 1/19 Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday
Tue. 1/20 Lab2: Vectors, Energy, Orbits, see example script
Wed 1/21 Discuss Lowrie section 1.1 and HW1B
Fri 1/23 Lecture:
rotational motion, forces,
torques, and energy
Mon 1/26 Discuss 2.1-2.2 & HW2
Tue 1/27 Lab3: Use of gravimeter and tidal corrections. Calibration
data and Matlab scripts
Wed 1/28 Earth’s rotation, shape, tides, and
gravity
Fri 1/30 CRUISE: The boat leaves port at
8:00 a.m. Discuss 2.3-2.4 & HW3
Sat 1/31 CRUISE: Earth’s shape, gravitational potential &
acceleration field
Sun 2/2 CRUISE: Gravity anomalies
Lab4: Gravity of a buried prism: example script and solution file “gravprism.m”
Mon 2/1 CRUISE:
Interpretation of gravity anomalies
Tue 2/2 CRUISE:
Discuss 2.4-2.5 & HW4 (download data file)
Wed 2/4 CRUISE:
Arrive port at 8:00 a.m. and do final gravity tie.
Fri 2/6 No
class
Mon 2/9 No
class
Tue. 2/10 No lab
Wed 2/11 Discuss 2.6 & HW5 &
Bouguer anomaly file
Fri 2/13 Discussion
and review for exam
Chapter 3. Seismology and the
internal structure of the Earth
Mon 2/16 Presidents’ Day Holiday
Tue. 2/17 No
lab.
Wed 2/18 In-class problem set 1 and HW 1-5 revisions due
Fri 2/19 Elasticity theory/Seismic waves
Mon 2/23 Seismic waves and energy propagation
Tue 2/24 Lab 5A:
Density structure of Mahukona from shipboard gravity survey (see gravity & bathymetry
data files)
Wed 2/25 Discuss 3.2, 3.3 & HW6A
Fri 2/27 Discuss 3.3 & HW6B
Mon 3/2 Earthquake seismology
Tue 3/3 Lab6 Courtyard seismic survey (SeisImager Instructions & Robinson & Coruh Handout)
Wed 3/4 Seismic wave propagation: Reflections and refractions
Fri 3/6 Discuss 3.4-3.5 & HW7
Mon 3/9 Seismic wave propagation: Probing Earth Structure, Read Robinson & Coruh Handout p. 39-50
Tue 3/10 Lab7: Linray.
Matlab codes needed (linray.m, calc_raypath.m, vmod.m)
Wed 3/11 Discuss 3.6.1-3.6.5 & Hw8A
Fri 3/13 Discuss 3.6.1-3.6.5 & Hw8B
Mon 3/16 Review for exam
Tue 3/17 Lab 8:
Kualoa Seismic survey
Wed 3/18 In-class problem set 2 and
HW 6-9 revisions due
Fri 3/20 No Class
Geomagnetism
Mon 3/23 Spring Break
Wed 3/25 Spring Break
Fri 3/27 Spring Break
Mon 3/30 No
Class
Tue 3/31 Lab 8: Seismic survey interpretation. Additional Matlab code needed (linray_fit.m)
Wed 4/1 Geomagnetism: Magnetic dipole: Lowrie pp. 281-287; 305-320
Fri 4/3 Geomagnetism & Earth’s Magnetic
Field
Mon 4/6 Geomagnetism & Earth’s Magnetic Field
Tue 4/7 Lab 8: Seismic survey interpretation
Wed 4/8 Discuss HW9
Fri 4/10 Good
Friday Holiday
Mon 4/13 Magnetic field anomalies, Lowrie pp. 274-279
Tue 4/14 Lab 9: Kualoa Magnetics Survey
Wed 4/15 Magnetization, Discuss HW10A, see Burger Handout on Total field anomaly.
Fri 4/17 Total magnetic field anomaly over a
dipole, Discuss HW10B
Earth’s Heat
Mon 4/20 Earth’s Heat- Heat flow and the energy
equation, Based on Fowler Handout p. 219-226
Tue 4/21 Lab9:
Interpretation of Kualoa Survey.
Data and initial Matlab code
Wed 4/22 Heat flow, Discuss HW11A (based on Fowler Handout p.
219-226)
Fri 4/24 Continental geotherms, Discuss HW11B (based on Fowler Handout, p.
226-230)
Mon 4/27 Earth’s Heat
Tue 4/28 Lab12:
Interpretation of KM0903 magnetics data
Wed 4/29 Discuss Fowler pp. 232-243 (omit 235-236), HW12A
Fri 5/1 Discuss HW12B
Mon 5/4 Global Heat and Mantle Convection
Wed 5/6 Review
Wed. 5/13 In-class problem set 3 (Final Examination 9:45-11:45) and HW 10-14
revisions due