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Great work. Interesting that he didn't simulate the impact that formed the moon, though. I'm interested in how that impacted (ha) plate tectonics. I'm not aware
by MPSimmons 5y ago
Great work. Interesting that he didn't simulate the impact that formed the moon, though. I'm interested in how that impacted (ha) plate tectonics. I'm not aware of a scientific theory that posits a causality between the impact and plate tectonics, but we are the only rocky planet that has both plate tectonics and a natural satellite created by impact, so I have to wonder if they're related.
- jagged-chisel 5y agoI’m under the impression that there were no “plate tectonics” at the time of impact (surface was still nearly molten), and if there were (surface had actually crustified), plates were quickly melted by massive amounts of energy from the collision.
- smoe 5y agoNot an expert at all but from skimming Wikipedia “The appearance of plate tectonics on terrestrial planets is related to planetary mass, with more massive planets than Earth expected to exhibit plate tectonics. Earth may be a borderline case, owing its tectonic activity to abundant water” https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plate_tectonics https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plate_tectonics It is just that there no objects in the solar system big enough to have plate tectonics. And we currently have no way of detecting them on exoplanets.
- kevinkeller 5y ago> we are the only rocky planet that has both plate tectonics and a natural satellite We have the oceans to thank for plate tectonics. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/253303432_Are_Oceans_Required_for_Earth-Like_Plate_Tectonics https://www.researchgate.net/publication/253303432_Are_Ocean...