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SPS Seminar - Modelling surface-rock alteration on Venus

Dates
Thursday, October 28, 2021 - 14:00 to 15:00

When:  Thursday 28 October at 14.00

Where:  Microsoft Teams - Online

Speaker:  Julia Semprich (OU)

Hosted by: Alexander Barrett

Abstract:

Rock alteration processes on Venus are still poorly understood due to the limited geochemical data on surface rocks and uncertainties in atmospheric conditions. Venus is predominantly composed of volcanic plains of basaltic composition while only 8% of the surface is covered by tesserae highlands terrain, which appears to be the stratigraphically oldest material of unknown composition. Materials on the surface of Venus are exposed to extreme temperature and pressure conditions and a CO2-rich atmosphere with traces of noble and chemically active gases including SO2. I will present results from phase equilibria calculations to constrain mineral stabilities for different rock and gas compositions, which allows the prediction of mineral phases at planetary radius and higher elevations. The stability of pyrite at conditions predicted for the Venus highlands may be responsible for the observed high dielectric properties of some mountain tops negating the need for uncommon phases, whereas conditions at modal planetary radius are more favourable for magnetite. Results from phase equilibria calculations can also contribute to develop procedures for better mineral identifications in preparation for the upcoming Venus missions.

Bio

“I’m a petrologist interested in crustal processes such as fluid-rock interaction and melting on terrestrial planetary bodies (e.g., Mars, Venus, Earth, icy moons). I’ve joined the OU at the beginning of 2020 as Research Fellow in Astrobiology OU. Prior to that I had post-doc positions at the Lunar and Planetary Institute in Houston, USA and the University of Campinas, Brazil with a PhD in Geoscience from the University of Oslo, Norway. (she/her)”

 

 

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