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GEOLOGICAL SCIENCES AT BROWN UNIVERSITY
Research Synopsis: Research in progress relates both to 1) understanding the fundamental physical aspects of geological processes operating on the planets and satellites and, 2) the application of this knowledge to deconvolving the complex signal of the history of the planet contained in the geological record. Also addressed is the comparison of processes and histories of each planet, including the Earth (for example, what were the important factors governing the first two billion years of planetary history?). Recently, specific emphasis has been placed on the following areas: 1) Volcanism and the Earth's seafloor as a planetary environment: Theoretical modeling of the ascent and eruption of magma in the high-pressure deep seafloor environment (equivalent to that of Venus) and understanding the transition to shallower submarine and subaerial volcanism; analysis of basic theory and comparison to images and topographic data obtained on oceanic cruises and deep submersible dives. Fieldwork includes deep-sea submersible dives (Alvin, Pieces) and ROV explanation. 2) Interpretation of the tectonics of Venus and implications for Earth: Documentation of the geological history of Venus and its tectonic and volcanic processes, assessment of possible catastrophic and episodic volcanic and tectonic activity, and analysis of implications for the formation of continents on Earth and the processes that might have initiated plate tectonics on our own planet. 3) Crustal formation and evolution on one-plate planets: How do crusts form and evolve? Analysis of secondary and tertiary crust on Mars, Venus and the Earth's Moon and assessment of implications for Mercury and early Earth. 4) Volcanism and tectonics on outer planet satellites: Analysis of the characteristics and history of the Galilean satellites, Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto with emphasis on volcanic and tectonic processes and comparative geological and thermal histories of these satellites. Application of this knowledge to other outer planet satellites. 5) Geological evolution of Mars: What are the major factors in the geological evolution of Mars, and how does Mars differ from the other terrestrial planetary bodies? What role does volcanism play in the resurfacing of the planet and in crustal formation and evolution? How does volcanism create shallow crustal situations (e.g., dike emplacement, heating, melting of ground ice) that might be conducive to the production of environments favorable to life? Where might these sites be located on Mars? How do volcanic processes interact with subsurface water, the cryosphere, and surface glacial and volatile-rich deposits? The History of Water on Mars: What is the nature of the martian hydrological cycle and how has it changed with time? What is the evidence for the presence of large standing bodies of water in the history of Mars and what was the fate of any such water? What is the nature of the cryosphere and how has it changed with time? What is the history of the water table? How is the history of water linked to environments conducive to life? Climate Change on Earth and Mars : What is the recent and ancient history of the polar caps? Is there evidence for glaciation? How do these compare with examination of terrestrial glacial environments in Iceland and to the Antarctic Dry Valleys? What is the evidence for migration and deposition of ice on Mars and how does the record of the Antarctic Dry Valleys inform us of this? What is the significance of tropical mountain glaciers on Mars and how do they relate to recent ice ages there? Education: Ph.D. Brown University (1969), Geological Sciences B.S. Washington & Lee University (1964), Geology back to top |
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