Mechanics Problems in Geodynamics Part I

Geodynamics concerns with the dynamics of the global motion of the earth, of the motion in the earth's interior and its interaction with surface features, together with the mechanical processes in the deformation and rupture of geological structures. Its final object is to determine the driving mechanism of these motions which is highly interdisciplinary. In preparing the basic geological, geophysical data required for a comprehensive mechanical analysis, there are also many mechanical problems involved, which means the problem is coupled in a complicated manner with geophysics, rock mechanics, seismology, structural geology etc. This topical issue is Part I of the Proceedings of an IUTAM / IASPEI Symposium on Mechanics Problems in Geodynamics held in Beijing, September 1994. It addresses different aspects of mechanics problems in geodynamics involving tectonic analyses, lithospheric structures, rheology and the fracture of earth media, mantle flow, either globally or regionally, and either by forward or inverse analyses or numerical simulation.

Mechanical Problems in Geodynamics and Work Done in China.- A Review on the Lithospheric Structures in the Tibetan Plateau and Constraints for Dynamics.- Free Oscillations of a Laterally Heterogeneous and Anelastic Earth.- The Earth’s Palaeorotation, Postglacial Rebound and Lower Mantle Viscosity from Analysis of Ancient Chinese Eclipse Records.- A Preliminary Study of the Effects of Some Flow Parameters in the Generation of Poloidal and Toroidal Energies Within a 3-D Spherical Thermal-convective System with Variable Viscosity.- On the Rifting Dynamics of Plate Divergence and Magma Accumulation at Oceanic Ridge Axes.- 3-D Spherical Shell Modeling of Mantle Flow and Its Implication for Global Tectogenesis.- Coupling of Tectonic Loading and Earthquake Fault Slips at Subduction Zones.- Oblique Subduction of a Newtonian Fluid Slab.- On the Dynamics of Extensional Basin.- Rheological Information from Geological Structures.- A Method of Estimating the Stress Exponent in the Flow Law for Rocks Using Fold Shape.- The Effect of Fault-bend Folding on Seismic Velocity in the Marginal Ridge of Accretionary Prisms.- Interrelation between Fault Zone Structures and Earthquake Processes.- Analysis of Induced Seismicity for Stress Field Determination and Pore Pressure Mapping.- A New Approach to Earthquake Prediction: The Load/Unload Response Ratio (LURR) Theory.- An Earthquake Instability Model Based on Faults Containing High Fluid- pressure Compartments.- Slip-weakening Constitutive Relation and the Structure in the Vicinity of a Shear Crack Tip.- Development of Subcracks Between en echelon Fractures in Rock Plates.- In Situ Stress State in Mainland China.