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Planetary surface processes and tectonics - NGEO108

Title:	Povrchové procesy a tektonika planet
Guaranteed by:	Department of Geophysics (32-KG)
Faculty:	Faculty of Mathematics and Physics
Actual:	from 2022
Semester:	winter
E-Credits:	3
Hours per week, examination:	winter s.:2/0, Ex [HT]
Capacity:	unlimited
Min. number of students:	unlimited
4EU+:	no
Virtual mobility / capacity:	no
State of the course:	taught
Language:	Czech, English
Teaching methods:	full-time

Guarantor:	doc. RNDr. Marie Běhounková, Ph.D.
Teacher(s):	doc. RNDr. Marie Běhounková, Ph.D.

Opinion survey results WS schedule Noticeboard

Annotation -

The lecture gives basic overview of surface processes and surfaces of terrestrial bodies and moons in the solar system.

Last update: Gallovič František, prof. RNDr., Ph.D. (10.01.2019)

Aim of the course -

The lecture introduces the study of surfaces and surface processes on terrestrial planets and their moons.

Last update: Běhounková Marie, doc. RNDr., Ph.D. (08.10.2025)

Course completion requirements -

Attendance and active participation in lectures and discussions.

A presentation (30-60 minutes) or a short written report (approximately 5 pages) on a selected topic consistent with the course syllabus.

Last update: Běhounková Marie, doc. RNDr., Ph.D. (08.10.2025)

Literature -

I. dePater, J.J. Lissauer. Planetary Sciences, Cambridge University Press, 2001.

M. Dougherty, L. Esposito, S. Krimigis. Saturn from Cassini-Huygens. Springer, 2009.

L.B. Freund. Dynamic fracture mechanics. Cambridge University Press, 1990.

M.S. Gudipati, J. Castillo-Rogez. The Science of Solar System Ices. Springer, 2013.

H.J. Melosh. Planetary surface processes, Cambridge University Press, 2011.

R.T. Pappalardo, W.B. McKinnon, K. Khurana. Europa. University of Arizona Press, 2009.

J. P. Renaud and W. G. Henning. Increased Tidal Dissipation Using Advanced Rheological Models: Implications for Io and Tidally Active Exoplanets. Astrophys.J., 857(2):29, 2018.

P. Schenk et al. Enceladus and the icy moons of Saturn, University of Arizona Press, 2019. Schubert et al. Treatise on Geophysics. Elsevier, 2007.

S.A. Stern et al. The Pluto System after New Horizons. University of Arizona Press, 2021.

T.R. Watters, R.A. Schultz: Planetary tectonics. Cambridge University Press, 2010.

A. Zang, O. Stephansson. Stress Field of the Earth’s Crust, Springer, 2010.

Last update: Běhounková Marie, doc. RNDr., Ph.D. (12.05.2022)

Teaching methods -

Lecture

Last update: Běhounková Marie, doc. RNDr., Ph.D. (12.05.2022)

Syllabus -

1) Geological processes on terrestrial planets and icy moons.

2) Surface temperature. Energy transport. Energy sources - accretional heat, tidal dissipation, and radiogenic heat.

3) Deformation across various time scales. Elastic, anelastic, and viscous deformation. Deformation mechanisms and deformation maps. Influence and evolution of grain size. Effects of melt and fluids on rheological properties. Material strength and brittle failure. Empirical relationships. Rheological structure of planets and moons.

4) Tectonics. Internal and external sources of tectonic stress. Lithospheric deformation, faults, fractures, and their statistical distribution.

5) Melting and magmatism. Volcanic landforms and surface features.

6) Impact cratering. Crater morphology and scaling laws. Evolution of crater populations and surface dating. Late Heavy Bombardment. Origin of the Moon.

7) Basic characteristics of planetary atmospheres. Effects of wind, water, and ice on surface morphology.

8) Tectonic features and surface characteristics of individual bodies: Mercury, Venus, the Moon, Mars, small bodies, outer planet satellites, and the Pluto system.

Last update: Běhounková Marie, doc. RNDr., Ph.D. (08.10.2025)