Continuum Mechanics and Mantle Dynamics

Course goals

Content

Part 1 (50%): Continuum mechanics
The first half of the course (Rizzo) focuses on continuum mechanics, which provides the basis for the mathematical and physical description of dynamic processes in the Earth Sciences. 

•    Stress and deformation: mathematical basis, tensorial description, equilibrium equation, stress tensors and representations 
•    Deformation, displacement gradient tensor, strain and rotation tensor. 
•    Conservation laws: material derivatives, mass balance (continuity equation), momentum conservation


Part 2 (50%): Mantle dynamics
The second half of the course (Cobden) builds an overview of the dynamics operating in Earth’s deep interior, as inferred from observations, experiments and numerical modelling.

•    Mantle convection: the fundamental equations and parameters for numerical modelling
•    The geodynamo and its role in mantle dynamics
•    Mineral physics and thermodynamics: the role of mineral structures and phase changes in mantle dynamics
•    Geophysical and astronomical observables to constrain mantle structure and evolution including electrical conductivity (geomagnetism); gravity; seismology; moment of inertia
•    Mantle thermal structure (geotherm) and density distribution
•    Insights on mantle dynamics from geochemistry
•    Mantle dynamics on other planets and moons
•    Mantle plumes, piles, domes and plum puddings – a.k.a. thermal vs thermochemical convection


Development of Transferable Skills

• Written communication: Several practical assignments result in a written product (or report) that must be completed and handed in by a strict deadline.
• Problem solving: Practicals and homework exercises present challenging problems that require creativity and imagination to find solutions. Besides mathematical challenges, students learn to create conceptual models and describe them quantitatively.
• Verbal communication skills: Students will prepare and deliver an oral presentation on a subject of their choice. Students are also strongly encouraged to participate in actively answering questions posed by the lecturers in class.
• Work ethic.  The deadlines for completing practical and homework exercises are extremely strict so that worked answers can be distributed to all students, but only when all students have submitted a given product. Failure to be professional in meeting these deadlines results in disqualification from the course.
• Analytical and numerical skills: Students will learn how to integrate data and models from different sources to provide an evidence-based, quantitative description of the dynamics of the Earth's interior.
• Technical skills: In several of the assignments, students practice basic mathematical skills, as well as spreadsheet and graphing skills.

Grading:

• The final grade for the course is calculated as follows. Mid-term exam Rizzo (Continuum Mechanics 50%) + oral presentation (Mantle Dynamics 25%) + end-term exam Cobden (Mantle Dynamics 25%) = 100% of final grade (i.e. Parts 1 and 2 count equally towards the final grade).
• Practicals/tutorials/homework: Continuously assessed on a pass/fail basis.
• All practicals & homeworks must be completed with a “pass” to complete the course.
• The minimum pass grade (average of Part 1 Rizzo and Part 2 Cobden) for the course is 5.5 out of 10, with all assignments completed. Grades between 5.50 and 5.99 are rounded up to 6.0. A grade of 5.49 or less is a fail. The right to a repair examination is granted only if the unrounded average grade for Parts 1 and 2 lies between 4.00 and 5.49 and if the student has completed and obtained a pass for all assignments. A grade of 3.99 does not entitle a student to a repair examination. Repair exams may address Part 1 (Continuum Mechanics) or Part 2 (Mantle Dynamics) – students may choose which they prefer to resit (one only). After the repair exam, the final course grade is calculated as the average of the grades obtained for Parts 1 and 2, with the repaired grade updated. If the course grade obtained is 5.50 or above it will be set at 6.0, i.e. no final scores higher than 6.0 are given following a repair exam. If the final grade is < 5.49, the result is a fail and entire course has be redone, if a pass is sought.