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Planetary Crusts: Composition, Origin and Evolution
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:30:30
Objective
Primary objectives are to provide students with: 1. general understanding of comparative planetology using the diverse nature of planetary crusts as an example; 2. detailed understanding of the extreme diversity of planetary crustal evolution within our solar system and the causes of that diversity; 3. the ability to critically assess how the nature of planetary crusts within our solar system may inform any evaluation of the nature and significance of extrasolar planets.
Content
The course consists of 9 sections, each constituting one 2-hour class: 1. Introduction and overview 2. Formation and differentiation of terrestrial planets 3. Primary Crusts: Required but rarely observed 4. Secondary Crusts: The ubiquitous but diverse planetary crust 5. Tertiary Crusts: Is Earth's continental crust the only example? 6. Icy Crusts: Just special cases? 7. Crustal evolution: As diverse as the crusts themselves 8. Looking for unifying themes: Are there more variables than planetary bodies? 9. Exoplanets: Lessons from (or for?) our solar system
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- MSC
Examination
- Type
- ungraded semester performance
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture |
Planetary Crusts: Composition, Origin and Evolution
Taught by visiting professor Scott McLennan
|
|
2 h weekly |
Offered In
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Electives (Courses can be chosen from the complete offerings of the ETH Zurich and University of Zurich (according to prior agreement with the subject advisor).)
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