Investigating modern analogs for Earths oldest material
Required Availability
Fall 2019Course Credit?
Yes - Geo 399/499Paid Position?
NoPreferred Majors
Biochemistry/Biology | Biological Sciences | Biology | Chemistry | Geography | GeologyFaculty
Matthew WielickiDescription
Hadean zircons, found in the Jack Hills, Western Australia, are the oldest known materials on Earth, dating back to nearly 4.4 Ga or only ~150 Ma after formation. These tiny grains have been essential in transforming our view of the Hadean from a hot, hellish environment to one that appears much more hospitable to life with continental crust, water, and possibly even plate tectonics. Understanding the magmatic environment that leads to the formation of these ancient grains is fundamental to interpreting the geochemical signatures within them. Hypotheses of formation environments have ranged from plate boundary interactions to impact melt sheets. One important feature of the Jack Hills zircons is their seemingly unique characteristics. Identifying modern analogs for these grains informs us about the magmatic conditions present at their time of formation and the near-surface conditions during the Hadean, a time period believed to include the origin of life.
Special Skills
None required. Will be trained in lab techniques utilized to isolate specific mineral grains for further investigation.