Some Problems of Geodynamics: Being an Essay to Which the Adams Prize, in the University of Cambridge, Was Adjudged in 1911 (Classic Reprint)

Foundations of geodynamics and seismic theory, from the mind of a Cambridge prize‑winner. This book offers a rigorous look at how the earth’s shape, tides, and deep earth waves interact. Rich with mathematical models, it connects boundary conditions, tidal forces, and planetary rotation to real seismic observations.

The work frames complex ideas in a way that blends theory with observable phenomena, guiding readers through how distortional and Rayleigh waves behave in layered earth structures. It draws on spherical harmonics, elasticity, and inertia to explain long‑standing geophysical questions.

• How earth tides and surface forces are modeled, including corrections for spheroidal shape and inertia.


• Different wave classes in the crust and mantle, and how they propagate across layers.


• The role of boundary conditions, harmonic analysis, and potential theory in geodynamics.


• Connections between theory and seismic records, with attention to velocity and dispersion.

Ideal for readers with a strong interest in geophysics, seismology, and applied mathematics, this edition works best for those seeking a deep, theory‑driven understanding of how the planet behaves under dynamic forces.

Augustus Edward Hough Love (1863-1940) was a British mathematician most well known for his work on elasticity and wave propagation. Originally published in 1911, this book is significant for containing his development of a mathematical model for the surface waves that would become known as Love waves.