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This website features work from the completion of Phase 1 of the SCALES Project.

We are currently seeking partnerships for Phase 2.

Problem Set

  • Problem Set 5: Convection

    Problem set for the course Physics and Chemistry of Terrestrial Planets. 

    Read more: Problem Set 5: Convection

  • Problem Set 4: Conduction and Subsidence

    Problem set for the course Physics and Chemistry of Terrestrial Planets. 

    Read more: Problem Set 4: Conduction and Subsidence

  • Problem Set 3: Seismology

    Problem set for the course Physics and Chemistry of Terrestrial Planets. 

    Read more: Problem Set 3: Seismology

  • Problem Set 2: Moment of Inertia

    Problem set for the course Physics and Chemistry of Terrestrial Planets. 

    Read more: Problem Set 2: Moment of Inertia

  • Problem Set 1: Geochronology and the Age of the Solar System

    Problem set for the course Physics and Chemistry of Terrestrial Planets. 

    Read more: Problem Set 1: Geochronology and the Age of the Solar System

  • Exercise 4: Reading Geological Maps

    This laboratory exercise will consist of a set of hypothetical geologic examples to familiarize you with the thought process you'll need to use in interpreting simple problems.

    Read more: Exercise 4: Reading Geological Maps

  • Exercise 3: Stereonets

    This exercise is designed to familiarize you with the basic structure and use of a stereonet, which we use to draw our projections. In this exercise we will actually use equal-area projections rather than true stereographic projections, because they are easier to draw while being just as useful for most purposes

    Read more: Exercise 3: Stereonets

  • Lab 3: Geochronology

    An introductory lab on geochronology from the course Introduction to Geology.

    Read more: Lab 3: Geochronology

  • Exercise 1: Composition of the Mantle

    Calculate the composition of the Earth’s Mantle as estimated from the sun’s composition.

    Read more: Exercise 1: Composition of the Mantle

  • Assignment 1 The Earth’s Radiation Budget

    The global energy balance is important for Earth's climate. When visible radiation from the Sun reaches the Earth, some of it is reflected or scattered directly back into space as shortwave radiation (the percent reflected is known as albedo) and some of it is absorbed. In the absence of clouds, absorption happens mainly at the surface. The absorbed energy warms the Earth's surface, which, in turn, emits this energy at a longer wavelength (infrared rather than visible light).

    The purpose of this assignment is to get you thinking about the Earth's radiation budget and the sorts of phenomena which may influence that budget. The description of the datasets is taken from a class taught by Schlosser, Pfirman and Ting at Columbia University.

    Read more: Assignment 1 The Earth’s Radiation Budget

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