Vertically Resolved Magma Ocean–Protoatmosphere Evolution: H2, H2O, CO2, CH4, CO, O2, and N2 as Primary Absorbers

Open access
Author
Show all
Date
2021-02Type
- Journal Article
Citations
Cited 17 times in
Web of Science
Cited 22 times in
Scopus
ETH Bibliography
yes
Altmetrics
Abstract
The earliest atmospheres of rocky planets originate from extensive volatile release during magma ocean epochs that occur during assembly of the planet. These establish the initial distribution of the major volatile elements between different chemical reservoirs that subsequently evolve via geological cycles. Current theoretical techniques are limited in exploring the anticipated range of compositional and thermal scenarios of early planetary evolution, even though these are of prime importance to aid astronomical inferences on the environmental context and geological history of extrasolar planets. Here, we present a coupled numerical framework that links an evolutionary, vertically resolved model of the planetary silicate mantle with a radiative‐convective model of the atmosphere. Using this method, we investigate the early evolution of idealized Earth‐sized rocky planets with end‐member, clear‐sky atmospheres dominated by either H2, H2O, CO2, CH4, CO, O2, or N2. We find central metrics of early planetary evolution, such as energy gradient, sequence of mantle solidification, surface pressure, or vertical stratification of the atmosphere, to be intimately controlled by the dominant volatile and outgassing history of the planet. Thermal sequences fall into three general classes with increasing cooling timescale: CO, N2, and O2 with minimal effect, H2O, CO2, and CH4 with intermediate influence, and H2 with several orders of magnitude increase in solidification time and atmosphere vertical stratification. Our numerical experiments exemplify the capabilities of the presented modeling framework and link the interior and atmospheric evolution of rocky exoplanets with multiwavelength astronomical observations. Show more
Permanent link
https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000474307Publication status
publishedExternal links
Journal / series
Journal of Geophysical Research: PlanetsVolume
Pages / Article No.
Publisher
American Geophysical UnionSubject
Atmosphere origins; exoplanets; magma oceans; planet composition; planet formation and evolution; planetary surfaceOrganisational unit
03698 - Tackley, Paul / Tackley, Paul
More
Show all metadata
Citations
Cited 17 times in
Web of Science
Cited 22 times in
Scopus
ETH Bibliography
yes
Altmetrics