Magma oceans as a critical stage in the tectonic development of rocky planets

Abstract

Magma oceans are a common result of the high degree of heating that occurs during planet formation. It is thought that almost all of the large rocky bodies in the Solar System went through at least one magma ocean phase. In this paper, we review some of the ways in which magma ocean models for the Earth, Moon, and Mars match present day observations of mantle reservoirs, internal structure, and primordial crusts, and then we present new calculations for the oxidation state of the mantle produced during the magma ocean phase. The crystallization of magma oceans likely leads to a massive mantle overturn that may set up a stably stratified mantle. This may lead to significant delays or total prevention of plate tectonics on some planets. We review recent models that may help partly alleviate the mantle stability issue and lead to earlier onset of plate tectonics.

arXiv comment25 pages, 2 figures, 1 table; in press at Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc. A

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• Ariel Planetary Interiors White Paper
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• LavAtmos: An open source chemical equilibrium vaporisation code for lava worlds
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• Not All Sub-Neptune Exoplanets Have Magma Oceans
• Clouds in partial atmospheres of lava planets and where to find them
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• Mantle Differentiation, Mixing and Interior-Exterior Exchange