Rocky planets are thought to form with a magma ocean that quickly solidifies. The horizontal and vertical extent of this magma ocean depends on the interior thermal evolution of the […]
tidally locked lava planet
Posted inAstrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Lava / magma ocean / Volcanic Worlds, Status Report
Ocean Circulation on Tide-locked Lava Worlds, Part I: An Idealized 2D Numerical Model
A magma ocean is expected to exist on the dayside of tide-locked planets if surface temperature exceeds the melting temperature of typical crust.
Posted inAstrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Lava / magma ocean / Volcanic Worlds, Status Report
Ocean Circulation on Tide-locked Lava Worlds, Part II: Scalings
On tidally locked lava planets, magma ocean can form on the permanent dayside. The circulation of the magma ocean can be driven by stellar radiation and atmospheric winds.