Differentiation (planetology)

In geology and more generally of Planetology is differentiation or differentiation , the development of various materials from an originally homogeneous material by segregation . The prerequisites are the formation of different phases , see phase diagram , of which at least one must be a fluid , and a movement drive, mostly differentiated due to density in the gravitational field . The mobile phase can be aqueous, see e.g. B. hydrothermal solution , molten rock ( magma ) or liquid metal .

The magmatic differentiation led z. B. to the formation of the light continental crust , which in contrast to the oceanic crust floats permanently on the earth's mantle .

In the course of the formation of planets there are several processes that lead to melting , as a result of which the heavy, metallic phase collects in the center. In the case of the solar system , the various conditions during differentiation and the passage of time are accessible to the methods of radiometric dating .

literature

Linda T. Elkins-Tanton, et al .: Planetesimals - early differentiation and consequences for planets. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge 2017, ISBN 978-1-107-11848-5 .