[ESS] Jun Korenaga (Yale University)

“How Earth became habitable in the Hadean”

Earth emerged from magma-ocean solidification with a massive CO2-rich atmosphere, yet temperate conditions developed surprisingly early. Because little Hadean crust survives, I use continental-growth models and magma-ocean dynamics to reconstruct this transition. Geochemical constraints indicate rapid continental generation and recycling, while fractional crystallization may have produced a wet, heterogeneous mantle favorable for early plate tectonics and efficient carbon sequestration. Coupled models further suggest that ocean pH approached neutrality and that surface chemistry created a possible late-Hadean window for life’s origin.

Earth Science Seminar —

Lecture portion of the EAPS graduate-level class 12.571, covering current research in geophysics, geology, geochemistry, and geobiology. All members of the MIT community are welcome to join for presentations by guest speakers, held approximately every two weeks during the term.

Contact: earth-science-seminar-info@mit.edu