I always teach to my students that continuum deformation does not exist in Nature. Indeed from the (sub)atomic scale upwards, deformation (i.e. the change in coordinates of material points) occurs by steps and not in a continuous manner. Accordingly continuum theories represent a simplification of the natural phenomenon and their applicability (and usefulness) depends on the degree of precision we want/need to describe it and the scale of observation (see also John Platt comment). Therefore, as a function of the 'costs/benefits' ratio (lack of precision versus mathematical-parametric simplicity), continuum theories are largely applied in structural geology, tectonics and geodynamics. And that's the reason it is obviously important to keep teaching them (given the premise).
The BDT issue comes into the above question.
Riccardo Caputo
--------------------------------------------------------
* Riccardo CAPUTO
* Earthquake Geology and Structural Geology
* Department of Earth Sciences - TectoLab
* University of Ferrara,
* via Saragat 1 - 44122 Ferrara, Italy
* building B, room 204
* tel.: +39.0532.974688 - fax: +39.0532.974767
* e-mail: [log in to unmask]
* skype: riccardocaputo
--------------------------------------------------------
|