GEOL3045: Planetary Geology Lysa Chizmadia Earth-Moon System Lysa Chizmadia Earth-Moon System.

GEOL3045: Planetary Geology

GEOL3045: Planetary Geology

Lysa ChizmadiaEarth-Moon System

Lysa ChizmadiaEarth-Moon System

IntroductionIntroduction Earth is 3rd planet from

the Sun First with natural satellite

Largest planet in inner solar system Diameter = 1.3 x 104 km

Highest density 5.52 g/cm3 FeNi core 1/6 ’s volume > Mars

Youngest surface Weathering Plate Tectonics

Earth is 3rd planet from the Sun First with natural satellite

Largest planet in inner solar system Diameter = 1.3 x 104 km

Highest density 5.52 g/cm3 FeNi core 1/6 ’s volume > Mars

Youngest surface Weathering Plate Tectonics

Image from: http://www.nineplanets.org/earth.html

Image from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth

Plate TectonicsPlate Tectonics Three types of plate

boundaries Divergent Convergent Transform

Explains distribution of e-quakes & volcanoes

Driven by convection Primordial heat from

Accretion Radioactive decay Core crystallization

Three types of plate boundaries Divergent Convergent Transform

Explains distribution of e-quakes & volcanoes

Driven by convection Primordial heat from

Accretion Radioactive decay Core crystallization

Image from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth

Image from: http://www.nineplanets.org/earth.html

Divergent BoundariesDivergent Boundaries AKA

Spreading Center

AKA Rifts Largest

Mountain Chains in Solar System

Plates move apart due to eruption of lava

New lava = new oceanic crust

AKA Spreading Center

AKA Rifts Largest

Mountain Chains in Solar System

Plates move apart due to eruption of lava

New lava = new oceanic crust

Continental RiftingContinental Rifting

Convergent BoundariesConvergent Boundaries

AKA Destructive Boundaries

AKA Subduction Zones Old oceanic crust dense &

heavy Heavy vs. light =>

subduction

Three Types: Ocean-ocean Ocean-continent Continent-continent

AKA Destructive Boundaries

AKA Subduction Zones Old oceanic crust dense &

heavy Heavy vs. light =>

subduction

Three Types: Ocean-ocean Ocean-continent Continent-continent

Transform BoundariesTransform Boundaries AKA

Conservative Plate Boundary

Plates slide past each other Fracture zones

in Mid-ocean ridges

Strike-slips faults Only e-quakes

No volcanoes

AKA Conservative Plate Boundary

Plates slide past each other Fracture zones

in Mid-ocean ridges

Strike-slips faults Only e-quakes

No volcanoes

Hot SpotsHot Spots

Caused by mantle plumes

Plumes do not move, plates do Leaves track of

ocean islands Bend at 40Ma

Major change in plate motion

Caused by mantle plumes

Plumes do not move, plates do Leaves track of

ocean islands Bend at 40Ma

Major change in plate motion

Atmosphere & Hydrosphere

Atmosphere & Hydrosphere Atmospheric Layers

Water Cycle Both act to weather

surface Surface is Young!

Atmospheric Layers Water Cycle Both act to weather

surface Surface is Young!

Image from: http://www.nineplanets.org/earth.htmlImage from:http://www.solcomhouse.com/atmosphere.htm

WeatheringWeathering Mechanical

Weathering Physical breakdown

of rocks into smaller pieces

Chemical Weathering Chemical reactions

which act to dissolve minerals into aqueous ions

Presence of water near triple point

Mechanical Weathering Physical breakdown

of rocks into smaller pieces

Chemical Weathering Chemical reactions

which act to dissolve minerals into aqueous ions

Presence of water near triple pointImage from: http://www.lsbu.ac.uk/water/phase.html

Image from: http://www.sv.vt.edu/classes/MSE2094_NoteBook/96ClassProj/examples/triple.html

The MoonThe Moon Distance from

3.8 x 105 km Orbit around

27.3 days (tidally locked) Rotation (phases)

29.7 days Density = 3.35 g/cm3

Due to size & composition, considered a terrestrial planet

Surface Composition Bright Highlands (82%)

CaAl2Si2O8

Dark Maria (18%) Basalt

Distance from 3.8 x 105 km

Orbit around 27.3 days (tidally locked)

Rotation (phases) 29.7 days

Density = 3.35 g/cm3

Due to size & composition, considered a terrestrial planet

Surface Composition Bright Highlands (82%)

CaAl2Si2O8

Dark Maria (18%) Basalt

Image from: http://www.solarviews.com/eng/earth.htm

Images from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon

Near Side

Far Side

TidesTides Spring tide: when Earth, Moon &

Sun aligned Neap tide: Moon perpendicular to

Sun

Spring tide: when Earth, Moon & Sun aligned

Neap tide: Moon perpendicular to Sun

SummarySummary Earth

Plate Tectonics Divergent Plates Convergent Plates Transform Plates Hot Spots

Complex Atmosphere Hydrosphere

=> Weathering => Young surface

Surface composition Oceans = Basalt Continents = Granite

Earth Plate Tectonics

Divergent Plates Convergent Plates Transform Plates Hot Spots

Complex Atmosphere Hydrosphere

=> Weathering => Young surface

Surface composition Oceans = Basalt Continents = Granite

Moon (Luna) Terrestrial Planet

B/c size & composition Low Density

Little or no FeNi core Tidally locked to Earth

Always see same side Pulls on oceans & crust

Surface composition Anorthosite Basalt

Old Surface Heavily cratered No weathering

Moon (Luna) Terrestrial Planet

B/c size & composition Low Density

Little or no FeNi core Tidally locked to Earth

Always see same side Pulls on oceans & crust

Surface composition Anorthosite Basalt

Old Surface Heavily cratered No weathering