First published in 1982, Don Turcotte and Jerry Schubert's Geodynamics became a classic textbook for several generations of students of geophysics and geology. In this second edition, the authors bring this text completely up-to-date. Important additions include a chapter on chemical geodynamics, an updated coverage of comparative planetology based on recent planetary missions, and a variety of other new topics. Geodynamics provides the fundamentals necessary for an understanding of the workings of the solid earth, describing the mechanics of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and mountain building in the context of the role of mantle convection and plate tectonics. Observations such as the earth's gravity field, surface heat flow, distribution of earthquakes, surface stresses and strains, and distribution of elements are discussed. This new edition will once again prove to be a classic textbook for intermediate to advanced undergraduates and graduate students in geology, geophysics, and earth science.

‘It is immensely gratifying that Turcotte and Schubert have prepared this update of their classic textbook, which has been required reading for solid-earth graduate students here at Princeton for the past two decades. The exquisite clarity of exposition and the perfectly balanced level of mathematical and physical sophistication are maintained in this second edition, which differs by about ten percent from the original. The authors attribute this high degree of conservation to the fact that the book ‘deals with fundamental physical processes that do not change’; however, I consider it to be a consequence of their impeccable choice of topics.’

Tony Dahlen - Princeton University

‘… the long awaited revision of Don Turcotte and Jerry Schubert’s classic book on the fundamental physical processes that underlie geological phenomena. The second edition brings the subject up-to-date with discussions on satellite observations of surface strain and planetary morphology, thermal cooling models for the lithosphere, and chemical mantle dynamics. The result is a definitive work of impressive breadth that will be of great interest to researchers and students alike.’

Anthony B. Watts - University of Oxford

‘A welcome revision of a classic text. Twenty years have elapsed between the first and this second edition, but only relatively minor revisions and additions have been necessary; testimony to the rigor and comprehensive coverage of the original text. The main changes cover recent advances in comparative planetology, space geodesy, mantle plumes and mantle convection in general, and the way in which geochemical data can help in illuminating geodynamic processes. Now in paperback, and at an affordable price, this text will be an essential buy for all senior undergraduates, graduate students, and researchers studying the physics of solid Earth processes.’

Professor Fred J. Vine - University of East Anglia

‘For the past 20 years, Geodynamics by Turcotte and Schubert has served as the primary textbook in the field. The book offers a deterministic view of geodynamics based on first principles and thus is served as both a textbook and a reference book. The second edition is a welcome replacement for my worn-out copy and I expect that it will remain the premier textbook for years to come.’

David T. Sandwell - University of California

‘Update of classic graduate textbook on the fundamental physical processes that propel geological change. Includes up-to-date discussions on satellite observations, planetary morphology, thermal cooling and chemical mantle dynamics.’

Source: Lunar and Planetary Information Bulletin

' … particularly applicable for teaching purposes as it presents material with a minimum mathematical complexity. … This second edition is particularly important as it presents a number of new ideas and concepts that have evolved since the first edition was published.'

Source: International Journal of Geosciences

‘ … the second edition of Geodynamics, like its predecessor, stand alone in its ability to link basic theory and geologic observation, Geodynamics should continue to benefit new generations of Earth scientists and students for decades to come.’

Source: EOS

'The classic textbook by Turcotte and Schubert should be found in the library of every earth scientist. This second edition book contains additional information and chapters not found in the first edition. The variety of topics presented quite extensively and with such detailed mathematics is amazing.'

Source: Episodes

'The second edition retains everything that made the first edition a success, and adds some new material, including updates on the terrestrial planets and a chapter on chemical tracers in geodynamical processes. Cambridge University Press has succeeded in making this second edition a more attractive volume than the first, and its soft cover and simple, uncluttered format helps keep its price reasonable, an important consideration for its target audience of students worldwide.'

Source: Geophysical and Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics

'… a very useful update to what has become a classic text.'

Source: Geological Journal