Lecture: Recipes for Making the Earth

Speaker: Prof Tim Elliott, FRS, University of Bristol

Entry Fee

Members: Free

Visitors: Book via Eventbrite

Date and Time

19:00 -

Location

Virtual Talk via Zoom


Lecture Description

This lecture will be held virtually via zoom.

The main ingredients usually invoked to make planets are primitive meteorites, the chondrites. Although believed to be broadly representative of the solar disk from which planets grew, there are subtle differences in the compositions of different chondrite groups. An important question has therefore been what quantities of the different chondrites are needed to make the Earth. It transpires that one answer is obtained by considering elemental compositions and another using their isotopic characteristics. I argue that this dilemma is resolved if elemental abundances are modified by vapour loss as a natural consequence of the energetic process of collisional planetary accretion. So overall, a respectable Earth can be made from a starting composition of enstatite chondrite that has been wantonly over-cooked.

Tim Elliott is a Professor at the Bristol University School of Earth Sciences. His research interests focus on the chemical evolution of the Earth. He is interested in planetary formation and differentiation, sampling of the hidden Earth via melts, interaction of the deep and surface reservoirs and how this has influenced the terrestrial environment.

He teaches Geochemistry, Field Skills and Formation/Evolution of the Terrestrial Planets


Attending via Zoom

This lecture will take place online via Zoom.

Bath Geological Society Members: Free of charge. Joining instructions and the Zoom link are sent to members by email prior to the lecture.

Visitors & Non-Members: (including members of the Geologists' Association and affiliated societies) Please book via Eventbrite to receive Zoom access (see the Entry Fee details above).

How to join: Click the Zoom link provided in your email or Eventbrite confirmation. You can join using the Zoom desktop or mobile app, or directly via your web browser without installing any software. The virtual waiting room opens approximately 15 minutes before the scheduled start time, and attendees will be admitted before the talk commences.

For any queries about joining online, please contact [email protected].