The formation and evolution of the primordial planetary felsic crust

Introduction

A turning point for the whole planetary evolution, climate, and habitability was the onset of felsic (i.e., enriched in Si and Al) crust formation 4.5 – 4.0 Gyr ago. To date, this onset can be traced using natural zircon mineral (ZrSiO4)-bearing rocks, as well as laboratory experiments and modelling.

Project Overview

My project is based on cutting-edge experiments and modelling, as well as field data acquisition on natural rock samples, to construct a first comprehensive fundamental model of the primordial felsic crust formation and evolution on Earth, and very likely, Mars and Venus. My recently established laboratory experimental protocols and modelling approaches open a new window to understanding how the zircon-bearing felsic magmas, rocks, and crust can be produced from the ultra-mafic rocks (Mg, Fe-rich, and Si, Al-poor) that dominated the early planet’s composition.

Research Objectives

PLANETAFELSIC has four research objectives:

1. To identify and explore the rock-forming processes that controlled the formation and evolution of the primordial felsic crusts on Earth, Mars, and Venus.
2. To re-evaluate what physical-chemical conditions are reflected by the trace element and isotope signatures of zircon formed and evolved in the presence of magmas and fluids.
3. To constrain the initial steps of planetary geodynamics (i.e., rock-forming reactions, transformations, and movements) and how they are recorded in the trace element and isotope signatures in mantle-derived rocks.
4. To construct a geochemical model of the habitable conditions during the early evolution of the rocky planetary surface.

Team and Impact

With the PLANETAFELSIC grant, I will build a team dedicated to addressing these challenging goals in a comprehensive way. Ambitious, but feasible and timely, PLANETAFELSIC will significantly advance our understanding of how the habitable conditions could be formed on the planetary surface. This will pave the route for future missions to Mars and Venus and exoplanet exploration.