Planetary Crusts Their Composition, Origin and Evolution [Paperback]

This comprehensive reference volume surveys the development of crusts on solid planets and satellites in the solar system.This 2009 book explains how and why solid planets and satellites develop crusts. It presents a comprehensive survey and comparative analysis of crustal development on different planetary bodies, and is a key reference for researchers and students in geology, geochemistry, planetary science, astrobiology and astronomy.This 2009 book explains how and why solid planets and satellites develop crusts. It presents a comprehensive survey and comparative analysis of crustal development on different planetary bodies, and is a key reference for researchers and students in geology, geochemistry, planetary science, astrobiology and astronomy.This is the first book ever published to explain how and why solid planets and satellites develop crusts. Written by two leading authorities on the subject, it presents a geochemical and geological survey of the crusts of the Moon, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, the asteroid Vesta, and several satellites such as Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto. After describing how solar system bodies are formed, the authors compare the different planetary crusts and discuss current controversies on the subject. They introduce the theory of stochastic processes dominating crustal development, and debate the possibility of Earth-like planets existing elsewhere in the cosmos. Extensively referenced and annotated, this book presents an up-to-date survey of the scientific problems of crustal development, and is a key reference for researchers and students in geology, geochemistry, planetary science, astrobiology, and astronomy.Preface; Acknowledgements; List of abbreviations; Prologue; Notes and references; 1. The planets: their formation and differentiation; 2. A primary crust: the highland crust of the Moon; 3. A secondary crust: the lunar maria; 4. Mercury; 5. Mars: early differentiation and planetary composition; 6. Mars: crustal compositiol#q