Position Description: The first half-billion years of Earth history (the Hadean Eon) are as mysterious as they are controversial. We don’t even know yet when plate tectonics started and when the first continents formed. Due to the absence of a rock record, we can only directly study this time period through the mineral zircon. However, there are only a dozen locations around the globe where such old zircons have been found. In this project, you will study Hadean and Archean zircons from South Africa to understand what types of rocks these minerals came from, how far the zircons have been transported, and what they can tell us about early tectonic processes. You will search the literature for appropriate model melt calculations, use the geochemistry of the Hadean and Archean zircons to calculate the compositions of the melts the zircons crystallized from, do size and shape analyses of the zircons, and compare the results to modern and ancient rocks.

Duration: Three weeks (January 3 - 21, 2022)

Work Hours: Total of 20 hours over three weeks

Pay Rate: $300 stipend at completion of program

Number of Positions Available: 1

Qualifications/Requirements:

• No prior knowledge of the topic is necessary

• High school mathematics

• Computer-related skills

All necessary software, data, and instructions will be provided.

You will meet the people in the research group, be introduced to our ongoing projects, and invited to tour our zircon separation laboratory spaces and equipment.

The Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences (EPS) welcomes everyone and aims for a diverse and inclusive community. Preferences will be given to freshman and sophomore students, but we encourage all interested students to apply. Students who are already working with members of the EPS community and non-Harvard students are not eligible for this position.