Magma ocean

Magma oceans are vast fields of surface magma that exist during periods of a planet's or some natural satellite's accretion when the celestial body is completely or partly molten.^[1]

In the early Solar System, magma oceans were formed by the melting of planetesimals and planetary impacts.^[1] Small planetesimals are melted by the heat provided by the radioactive decay of aluminium-26.^[1] As planets grew larger, the energy was then supplied from giant impacts with other planetary bodies.^[2] Magma oceans are integral parts of planetary formation as they facilitate the formation of a core through metal segregation^[3] and an atmosphere and hydrosphere through degassing.^[4] Evidence exists to support the existence of magma oceans on both the Earth and the Moon.^[1]^[5] Magma oceans may survive for millions to tens of millions of years, interspersed by relatively mild conditions.

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Elkins-Tanton, Linda T. (2012). "Magma Oceans in the Inner Solar System". Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences. 40 (1): 113–139. Bibcode:2012AREPS..40..113E. doi:10.1146/annurev-earth-042711-105503.
^ Tonks, W. Brian; Melosh, H. Jay (1993). "Magma ocean formation due to giant impacts". Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets. 98 (E3): 5319–5333. Bibcode:1993JGR....98.5319T. doi:10.1029/92JE02726. ISSN 2156-2202.
^ Rubie, D. C.; Nimmo, F.; Melosh, H. J. (2007). Formation of Earth's Core. Amsterdam: Elsevier. pp. 51–90. Bibcode:2007evea.book...51R. doi:10.1016/B978-044452748-6.00140-1. ISBN 9780444527486.
^ Zahnle, Kevin; Arndt, Nick; Cockell, Charles; Halliday, Alex; Nisbet, Euan; Selsis, Franck; Sleep, Norman H. (2007). Fishbaugh, Kathryn E.; Lognonné, Philippe; Raulin, François; Marais, David J. Des; Korablev, Oleg (eds.). Emergence of a Habitable Planet. Space Sciences Series of ISSI. Springer New York. pp. 35–78. Bibcode:2007ghtp.book...35Z. doi:10.1007/978-0-387-74288-5_3. ISBN 9780387742878.
^ Cite error: The named reference :1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[:0-1] Elkins-Tanton, Linda T. (2012). "Magma Oceans in the Inner Solar System". Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences. 40 (1): 113–139. Bibcode:2012AREPS..40..113E. doi:10.1146/annurev-earth-042711-105503.

[2] Tonks, W. Brian; Melosh, H. Jay (1993). "Magma ocean formation due to giant impacts". Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets. 98 (E3): 5319–5333. Bibcode:1993JGR....98.5319T. doi:10.1029/92JE02726. ISSN 2156-2202.

[3] Rubie, D. C.; Nimmo, F.; Melosh, H. J. (2007). Formation of Earth's Core. Amsterdam: Elsevier. pp. 51–90. Bibcode:2007evea.book...51R. doi:10.1016/B978-044452748-6.00140-1. ISBN 9780444527486.

[4] Zahnle, Kevin; Arndt, Nick; Cockell, Charles; Halliday, Alex; Nisbet, Euan; Selsis, Franck; Sleep, Norman H. (2007). Fishbaugh, Kathryn E.; Lognonné, Philippe; Raulin, François; Marais, David J. Des; Korablev, Oleg (eds.). Emergence of a Habitable Planet. Space Sciences Series of ISSI. Springer New York. pp. 35–78. Bibcode:2007ghtp.book...35Z. doi:10.1007/978-0-387-74288-5_3. ISBN 9780387742878.

[:1-5] Cite error: The named reference :1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

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