Updated 3/27/96. Comments: gap_help@agu.org.
To create an accented character, type a backslash "\", the appropriate accent code, an open curly brace "{", the character, and a close curly brace"}". Thus, an acute accent over the letter "e" in the word debut would appear d\'{e}but.
\' acute \" umlaut
\` grave \^ circumflex
\~ tilde \u breve
\c cedilla \v hacek
Open quotation marks must be typed as two single open quotation marks: ``
The keyboard quotation mark key " will produce closing quotation marks, or you may code them with two single close quotation marks: ''
You may include special characters such as Greek letters or mathematical symbols in your text by typing a begin math code (which is a dollar sign), the appropriate symbol code, and a close math code (a second dollar sign):
** Don't forget to include BOTH dollar signs! **
\alpha \eta \nu \tau
\beta \theta \xi \upsilon
\gamma \iota o \phi
\delta \kappa \pi \chi
\epsilon \lambda \rho \psi
\zeta \mu \sigma \omega
\Gamma \Lambda \Sigma \Psi
\Delta \Xi \Upsilon \Omega
\Theta \Pi \Phi
+ - = < > / : ! ' | [ ] ( )
The symbol for degree is $\deg$
(i.e., $45\deg$ indicates 45 degrees).
The symbol for Angstrom is \AA
.
(A lowercase angstrom is \aa.)
Sun and Earth symbols are \sun and \earth (i.e., $M_{\sun}$ will indicate solar mass).
Comprehensive details on coding symbols in LaTeX can be located in the complete symbol list.
Superscripts and subscripts work only in math mode.
To create a superscript, type a dollar sign, a caret "^", an open curly brace "{", the character(s) you want superscripted, a close curly brace "}", and another dollar sign:
e = mc$^{2}$ $\pi r^{2}$
To create a subscript, type a dollar sign, an underscore, an open curly brace, the character(s) you want subscripted, a close curly brace, and another dollar sign.
H$_{2}$O HNO$_{3}$
Italic text may be created by typing "{\it " (including the empty space), then the text you want italicized, then a close curly brace. Thus {\it this text will be italic} but the rest of the text will be normal type. Use italics only for citations and species names; do not use it to emphasize.
Boldface text (for vectors) may be created by typing "{\bf " (including the empty space), then the text you want boldface, then a close curly brace. Thus {\bf this text will be boldface} but the rest of the text will be normal type.
Linebreaks set by your machine (such as soft
or hard returns) will not affect the look of
the final manuscript. If you need to create
a line break in the electronic file, use a
double backslash. Thus this \\
will \\
create a new line in your printed abstract.
LaTeX ignores extra spacing between words.
To create a new paragraph, leave one empty
line between paragraphs. Thus this would
end one paragraph
and this would begin a new paragraph.
Inquiries, problem reports, and other general correspondence should be sent to: