Seminar

Terrestrial planets form under a standard, universally agreed model from the accretion of planetesimals to a roiling ball of magma ocean, yet their tectonic evolution diverges distinctively onwards. Different tectonic models, ranging from cold stagnant lid, sluggish lid, mantle plume lid, heat-pipe, etc., were proposed for the cooling mechanism of terrestrial planets from an initially hot molten state to their current tectonic style. These models offer distinctive predictions for surface manifestation of structural features, lithospheric thermal gradient evolution, and constrained conditions for deformation. Understanding the cooling mechanism and potential tectonic model of early terrestrial planets not only provides us insight into how, when, and why plate tectonics occur on earth, but also tectonic behaviors on exoplanets. In this study, we applied a new geological mapping approach via machine learning on Venus to identify indicative surface features for model testing. Then, we examine the Crater versus Bouguer anomaly record on Moon and Mars to quantify the evolution of lithospheric thermal gradient. Lastly, we investigate one of Earth’s oldest supracrustal records – Isua supracrustal belt to explore the deformation extent and mechanism in early Earth.

Additional Information: Ms. LEUNG Chit Yan, Eunice, eunicecy@connect.hku.hk