The formation of an impact‐generated H2O atmosphere and its implications for the early thermal history of the Earth
Authors:
- Yutaka AbeYAYutaka Abe
- Takafumi MatsuiTMTakafumi Matsui
- 15 February 1985
- journal article
- Published by American Geophysical Union (AGU) in Journal of Geophysical Research
- Vol. 90 (S02) , C545-C559
Abstract
During accretion of the earth by planetesimal impacts, shock degassing of volatile materials occurs, and a proto‐atmosphere is formed. Once such an impact‐generated atmosphere is formed, the surface temperature of the earth growing by planetesimal impact increases due to the blanketing effect of the atmosphere. We show that the surface of the accreting earth was covered entirely by a “magma ocean.” This suggests that the differentiation of the earth proceeds under very low pressure and high temperature conditions during its accretion stage. This places a severe constraint on the amount of volatiles in the mantle, and the formation time of the atmosphere and ocean of the earth.Keywords
This publication has 14 references indexed in Scilit:
- The effect of viscosity on impact cratering and possible application to the icy satellites of Saturn and JupiterJournal of Geophysical Research, 1984
- The evolution of an impact-generated atmosphereIcarus, 1982
- On the scaling of crater dimensions: 2. Impact processesJournal of Geophysical Research, 1982
- Thermal evolution of Earth and Moon growing by planetesimal impactsJournal of Geophysical Research, 1979
- Earth-Atmosphere Evolution Model Based on Ar Isotopic Data1978
- Some experimental and theoretical observations on the kinetics of hydration reactions with particular reference to serpentinizationChemical Geology, 1970
- Development of the atmosphere of VenusIcarus, 1968
- Effects of melting upon thermal models of the EarthJournal of Geophysical Research, 1966
- A STUDY OF SOLAR EVOLUTIONCanadian Journal of Physics, 1965
- Calculations on the thermal history of the Earth1959