Back to Search Start Over

Noble gases and earth's accretion

Authors :
Harper, Jr., Charles L.
Jacobsen, Stein B.
Source :
Science. September 27, 1996, Vol. 273 Issue 5283, p1814, 5 p.
Publication Year :
1996

Abstract

Earth probably accreted in two stages corresponding to conditions before and after the removal of gas from the nebular disk. Helium and neon in the mantle primarily record a solarlike component likely incorporated during the first stage by solution into a magma ocean blanketed under a massive protoatmosphere of molecular hydrogen and helium. The heavier noble gases primarily reflect a meteoritic (planetary) component trapped in accreted planetesimals. This model provides a possible explanation for the reduced and oxidized accretion stages inferred from siderophile elements and may explain why the present mantle appears to be too oxidized to be in equilibrium with the core.<br />Planets form from material left behind in residual accretion disks once infall of the collapsing source clouds is complete. Such disks experience a two-stage history involving the separation of minor [...]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
00368075
Volume :
273
Issue :
5283
Database :
Gale General OneFile
Journal :
Science
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsgcl.18748042