Shock waves produce a wide variety of physical, chemical, mineralogical, and other effects in materials through which they pass. Since the beginning of civili zation, shock phenomena have been subjects of continuing interest, speculation, and enquiry. The interdisciplinary aspects of investigations of shock phenomena are especially noteworthy, and these investigations have been pursued by scien tists and engineers from a broad range of disciplines. Among the more novel and interesting investigations are those motivated by problems that arise in the Earth and planetary sciences. Such events as...

Shock waves produce a wide variety of physical, chemical, mineralogical, and other effects in materials through which they pass. Since the beginning of civili zation, shock phenomena have been subjects of continuing interest, speculation, and enquiry. The interdisciplinary aspects of investigations of shock phenomena are especially noteworthy, and these investigations have been pursued by scien tists and engineers from a broad range of disciplines. Among the more novel and interesting investigations are those motivated by problems that arise in the Earth and planetary sciences. Such events as...