Solar System Volcanism: A Window into Planetary Interiors
Date and Time
Location
MacN 415
Details
Speaker
Jeff Berger
Abstract
All of the terrestrial planets and many of the rocky and icy moons, protoplanets, and dwarf planets have had volcanism at some point in their histories. Volcanic activity is a surface expression of the structure, dynamics, heat, and compositions of planetary interiors. The study of volcanism thus provides constraints on the makeup and history of planetary bodies. Comparing volcanism on different bodies is particularly useful for understanding Earth’s geology. I will provide a survey of volcanism in the solar system, then compare Olympus Mons on Mars to the fifth largest volcano in the solar system, Maunakea, Hawai’i. The two volcanoes demonstrate fundamental differences between Mars and Earth.
Further Details
The talk is from 12:30 to 1:30 pm. Snacks will be provided at 12:00 pm. Make sure to follow the Graduate Seminar Series on Facebook(External Link).