Planetary Interiors Lecture Suggestions
Basic question is how we deduce the nature of the interiors
of other planets
1. INTRO - overview, geochemical models and samples, impacts and accretion
Practical - interpretation of age data from three different bodies
2. BASIC MEASUREMENTS - mass, density, moments of inertia,
surface temperature, surface age, composition
- Practical - interpretation of density/inertia data from
three different bodies
3. HEAT FLUX - link to radiogenics and accretion, measuring, diffusion
equation, consequences
- Practical - cooling of lava flows; heat flow provinces.
4. FLEXURE - equations, observations (Venus, Europa), implications,
links with thermal structure (brittle-ductile transition), fault strength
- Practical - estimation of elastic thickness and fault stresses from rift flank uplift
5. GRAVITY - theory, measurement, use of admittance/coherence
in determining elastic thickness, density
- Practical - interpretation of admittance profiles from three
different bodies
6. VISCOUS FLOW - theory, viscosity (newtonian/non-newtonian), examples
of use (glacial rebound, lower crustal flow, crater
relaxation)
- Practical - investigation of crustal relaxation on Venus
7. CONVECTION - concept of Rayleigh number, derivation of length
scales and heat transfer, adiabatic gradient, examples of plumes (Venus, Mars, Europa)
- Practical - derivation of diapir parameters for Europa
8. MAGNETISM/CONDUCTIVITY - magnetism theory, observations
(Mars, Earth), magnetisation of materials, Curie depth. Brief
discussion of 1) geodynamo mechanism 2) detection of Europa ocean 3)
effects of impacts
- Practical - Martian magnetic anomalies (attenuation, magnetisation,
layer thickness, impact effects)
9. THERMAL EVOLUTION - evidence of change in planetary activity
with time (Venus, Mars, Earth). Models of thermal evolution (layering,
catastrophic overturn, decaying heat). Other evidence e.g. magnetic
fields, impact structures, geochemistry (Hf-W and core formation).
- Practical - case study 1 - Mercury global data
10. CONCLUSIONS - summary; case study; how do we explain
the diversity of the solar system?
- Practical - case study 2 - Mercury tectonic data
Last updated Jan 24 2002
nimmo@esc.cam.ac.uk
Back to Home Page