Evidence for extremely rapid magma ocean crystallization and crust formation on Mars.

ABSTRACT: The formation of a primordial crust is a critical step in the evolution of terrestrial planets but the timing of this process is poorly understood. The mineral zircon is a powerful tool for constraining crust formation because it can be accurately dated with the uranium-to-lead (U-Pb) isotopic decay system and is resistant to subsequent alteration. Moreover, given the high concentration of hafnium in zircon, the lutetium-to-hafnium (¹⁷⁶Lu-¹⁷⁶Hf) isotopic decay system can be used to determine the nature and formation timescale of its source reservoir^1-3. Ancient igneous zircons with crystallization ages of around 4,430 million years (Myr) have been reported in Martian meteorites that are believed to represent regolith breccias from the southern highlands of

SUBMITTER: Bouvier LC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6107064 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature