Planetary Crusts
Planetary Crusts
Scott McLennan, State University of New York, Stony Brook
This is the first book ever published to explain how and why solid planets and satellites develop crusts. Written by two leading authorities on the subject, it presents a geochemical and geological survey of the crusts of the Moon, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, the asteroid Vesta, and several satellites such as Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto. After describing how solar system bodies are formed, the authors compare the different planetary crusts and discuss current controversies on the subject. They introduce the theory of stochastic processes dominating crustal development, and debate the possibility of Earth-like planets existing elsewhere in the cosmos. Extensively referenced and annotated, this book presents an up-to-date survey of the scientific problems of crustal development, and is a key reference for researchers and students in geology, geochemistry, planetary science, astrobiology, and astronomy.
- Investigates the crustal development of solid planetary bodies from the perspective of comparative planetology and solar system evolution
- Written by two of the world's leading authorities on planetary geochemistry
- Critically evaluates prevalent issues of controversy and debate to provide a road-map for future research
Reviews & endorsements
"Rarely does one find a book which truly examines in detail the subject of comparative planetology. This is just such a book. … an excellent starting point to delve deeper into the specific subject. … In summary this is a unique book, addressing for the first time the subject of planetary crusts from a comparative point of view in a clear and thorough manner; I recommend it to students and specialists alike." - Planetary and Space Science
"In conclusion, Planetary Crusts: Their Composition, Origin and Evolution is a well-written and researched book that would complement the library of any crustal scientist, graduate-level student studying planets, or a person curious as to how planets and their crusts came about." - The Meteoritical Society
"Taylor and McLennan do an excellent job of reviewing what is know and conjectured, arguing persuasively that Earth's crust is most anomalous in a solar system rife with idiosyncrasies. ... Highly recommended." - CHOICE
"...a comprehensive description and insightful discussion of virtually all salient aspects of the formation and the evolution of planets and their interiors." Nature Geoscience
Product details
April 2010Paperback
9780521142014
404 pages
244 × 170 × 21 mm
0.64kg
Available
Table of Contents
- Preface
- Acknowledgements
- List of abbreviations
- Prologue
- Notes and references
- 1. The planets: their formation and differentiation
- 2. A primary crust: the highland crust of the Moon
- 3. A secondary crust: the lunar maria
- 4. Mercury
- 5. Mars: early differentiation and planetary composition
- 6. Mars: crustal composition and evolution
- 7. Venus: a twin planet to Earth?
- 8. The oceanic crust of the Earth
- 9. The Hadean crust of the Earth
- 10. The Archean crust of the Earth
- 11. The post-Archean continental crust
- 12. Composition and evolution of the continental crust
- 13. Crusts on minor bodies
- 14. Reflections: the elusive patterns of planetary crusts
- Indexes.
