Abstract
Laboratory studies of physical properties of minerals and rocks can contribute to our understanding of dynamic processes of the Earth's interior through two different approaches. One is the study from the view point of the forward problem, that is to provide materials science data to predict dynamic processes of the Earth's interior. This includes the stduy of thermal expansion and rheological properties. The other is the study from the view point of the inverse problem. Materials science studies in this catagory include the studies on the relation of elastic properties and tectonic processes, such as the temperature sensitivity of elastic wave velocities and the changes of elastic wave velocities as a result of deformation. This paper reviews recent progress in these two areas and discusses some of the directions of future research in mineral and rock physics.
