Some Problems in Geophysics

Whilst the greatest effort has been made to ensure the quality of this text, due to the historical nature of this content, in some rare cases there may be minor issues with legibility. This report gives somewhat abbreviated versions of talks in a seminar on geophysics that was held once a week during the academic year 1970-71 at the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences of New York University.

The talks were presented for the most part by applied mathematicians rather than by professionals in the field of geophysics, but a number of professionals attended the seminar. It was hoped that both groups would find it interesting and rewarding to look at the problems together, based on the well-founded experience in science that progress has often resulted by bringing disciplines together that at first sight night not seem to have much in common. It was also thought desirable to examine a rather wide variety of physical problems, which in turn required the use or a variety of mathematical ideas and methods. For example, more emphasis was put on problems with formulations from the theory of elasticity in its linear version than is usual in the literature on geophysics.

Some of the ideas advanced may well be found highly speculative by professionals, but it is hoped that they may nevertheless be found amusing and stimulating. Of course, it is also hoped that applied mathematicians may find it worthwhile to become acquainted with the highly attractive and varied field of geophysics.