Rapid accretion and early core formation on asteroids and the terrestrial planets from Hf-W chronometry

Details Rapid accretion and early core formation on asteroids and the terrestrial planets from Hf-W chronometry Rapid accretion and early core formation on asteroids and the terrestrial planets from Hf-W chronometry

Aug 2002

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2002natur.418..952k&link_type=abstract

Nature, Volume 418, Issue 6901, pp. 952-955 (2002).

Computer Science

215

Scientific paper

The timescales and mechanisms for the formation and chemical differentiation of the planets can be quantified using the radioactive decay of short-lived isotopes. Of these, the 182Hf-to-182W decay is ideally suited for dating core formation in planetary bodies. In an earlier study, the W isotope composition of the Earth's mantle was used to infer that core formation was late (>=60 million years after the beginning of the Solar System) and that accretion was a protracted process. The correct interpretation of Hf-W data depends, however, on accurate knowledge of the initial abundance of 182Hf in the Solar System and the W isotope composition of chondritic meteorites. Here we report Hf-W data for carbonaceous and H chondrite meteorites that lead to timescales of accretion and core formation significantly different from those calculated previously. The revised ages for Vesta, Mars and Earth indicate rapid accretion, and show that the timescale for core formation decreases with decreasing size of the planet. We conclude that core formation in the terrestrial planets and the formation of the Moon must have occurred during the first ~30 million years of the life of the Solar System.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Rapid accretion and early core formation on asteroids and the terrestrial planets from Hf-W chronometry does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Rapid accretion and early core formation on asteroids and the terrestrial planets from Hf-W chronometry, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Rapid accretion and early core formation on asteroids and the terrestrial planets from Hf-W chronometry will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-933329