This textbook on plate tectonics is designed for students in geology and geophysics to acquire
in-depth knowledge of quantitative methods in plate kinematics and dynamics. Quantitative Plate
Tectonics can also be used as a reference book by geoscientists who desire to expand their
knowledge beyond their own specialization or by oil-and-gas professionals and ore deposit
specialists that need to investigate the geodynamic context of formation of geologic
resources.Finally this book can be considered as a comprehensive monograph on plate tectonics
which addresses the different quantitative aspects of this broad discipline which has been
traditionally partitioned into separate or quasi-separate branches.Additional material
available at http: extras.springer.com includes two computer programs for the analysis of
marine magnetic anomalies and for plate kinematic modelling as well as some important
geophysical data sets and models. Solutions to the exercises are also included.A unified
quantitative description of plate tectonics combining geological and geophysical perspectives
Professional software manual verification examples and applications are available as
additional materialIncludes detailed calculations examples and problem sets per chapter Well
illustratedDr. Schettino has produced a book covering in a rigorous way the kinematics and
dynamics of plate tectonics. The fundamental physics governing geodynamic processes is
discussed quantitatively the relevant equations are clearly derived and the implications of
results are illustrated with examples and problems. The book will repay careful reading not
only by postgraduate students in geophysics and geology but also by any Earth scientist who
wishes to acquire a quantitative understanding of plate tectonics.Giorgio Ranalli
Distinguished Research Professor Department of Earth Sciences Carleton university Ottawa
Canada (author of Rheology of the Earth two editions 1987 and 1995)This text gives an
excellent quantitative presentation of the kinematics and the dynamics of plate tectonics that
integrates many aspects of the Earth sciences and provides a powerful model of the dynamic
behaviour of the Earth. The geological and geophysical processes involved in elucidating the
theory are clearly illustrated through a perfectly balanced level of mathematical and physical
concepts including derivation of the relevant equations examples and problems. The book is
intended for advanced undergraduates graduate students and professional earth scientists
requiring an overview of the essential processes of plate tectonics.Marco Ligi Senior
Researcher National Research Council of Italy Istituto di Scienze Marine Bologna Italy.
