Records of Earth's Earliest Differentiation

Position Description: A number of important questions relating to the evolution of the early Earth are still unanswered. Did the continental crust exist in the first 500 million years of Earth's history, and if so, what happened to it? What happened to the early magma ocean that formed after the Moon-forming impactor collided with the Earth? Was it recycled by early subduction processes, and if so, when did it start? The first 500 million years of Earth history are shrouded in mystery as the rock record for this time period is essentially non-existent. However, long-lived isotope chronometers (147Sm-143Nd, 87Rb-87Sr, 176Lu-176Hf, 238,235U-206,207Pb, 232Th-208Pb) of very old crustal and mantle-derived rocks provide some broad constraints on the evolution of the Hadean Earth. Information on the accretion of the Earth, core formation, and the evolution of the mantle and crust from very early times is almost exclusively provided by the isotope record of short-lived extinct radionuclides (146Sm, 182Hf, 244Pu and 129I). This project will entail a literature search to establish the state of the current knowledge of the field based on the isotopic evidence relevant to the differentiation and evolution of the Hadean Earth by compiling data and sample locales.

Project Dates: June 5-June 23, 2023

Number of Available Positions: 3

Location: In-person

Pay Rate: $700 stipend at completion of program

Qualifications/Requirements:

• No prior knowledge of the topic is necessary

• High school chemistry

• Computer-related skills

• Computer and internet connection required

The Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences (EPS) welcomes everyone and aims for a diverse and inclusive community.  Preference 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.