A study which sets out to provide a geophysical and geological rationale for geodetic experiments - past, present and future - offering insights into the methods, principles and potential of geodetic science for other earth scientists.

In this work the author sets out to provide a geophysical and geological rationale for geodetic experiments, past, present and future, offering insights into the methods, principles and potential of geodetic science for other Earth scientists. Geodesy is the study of the shape and gravity field of the Earth. The term "geophysical geodesy" describes here those geodetic methods that, together with the geological and geophysical evidence, contribute to the examination of the slow deformation of the Earth. It includes the study of crustal motion, of spatial and temporal variations in the gravity field and of the planet's rotation and tidal deformations. A basic knowledge of geodesy and geophysics is assumed, but where appropriate, selected references are given to background literature. The book is aimed primarily at graduate students in geodesy and geophysics, but advanced undergraduate students may also find it useful. The information discussed may also be of value to geodesists who wish to understand the geophysical implications of their measurements and to geophysicists interested in how the geodetic results have been obtained. The examples of the application of geodetic measurements to geophysical and geological problems have been chosen to illustrate the full range of applications that may be in the forefront of future research.