Planetary Tectonism across the Solar System, Volume Two in the Comparative Planetology series, addresses key questions surrounding planetary tectonism, such our understanding of the global contraction of Mercury, the formation of giant rift zones on Saturn's icy moons, or the tesserated terrain on Venus. The book makes connections to Earth, such as how deformation on Mercury is both similar and different, and how to apply theoretical considerations behind plate tectonics on Earth to other planets. The book offers up-to-date, accessible and comprehensive discussions on the major tectonic processes and landforms that shape and drive the evolution of planets, moons and smaller bodies.
By placing a singular emphasis on comparing tectonic processes and landforms on all relevant Solar System bodies, with the explicit objective of providing a systems-level understanding of this widespread phenomenon, this book is ideal for anyone studying planetary tectonism.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction2. Tectonic Landforms Across the Solar System
3. Planetary Geomechanics
4. Tectonics Caused by Surface Loads5. Tectonic-Magmatic Interaction
6. Formation and Tectonic Modification of Impact Craters
7. Convection-driven Tectonics
8. Tectonics Caused by Changes in Planetary Volume
9. Tectonics Caused by Changes in Figure
10. Synthesis and Outlook