NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Origin of the earth's ocean basinsThe earth's original ocean basins are proposed to be mare-type basins produced 4 billion y.a. by the flux of asteroid-sized objects responsible for the lunar mare basins. Scaling upward from the observed number of lunar basins for the greater capture cross-section and impact velocity of the earth indicates that at least 50% of an original global crust would have been converted to basin topography. These basins were flooded by basaltic liquids in times short compared to the isostatic adjustment time for the basin. The modern crustal dichotomy (60% oceanic, 40% continental crust) was established early in the history of the earth, making possible the later onset of plate tectonic processes. These later processes have subsequently reworked, in several cycles, principally the oceanic parts of the earth's crust, changing the configuration of the continents in the process. Ocean basins (and oceans themselves) may be rare occurrences on planets in other star systems.
Document ID
19780026474
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Frey, H.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Geophysics Branch, Greenbelt; Maryland, University, College Park, Md., United States)
Date Acquired
August 9, 2013
Publication Date
October 1, 1977
Publication Information
Publication: Icarus
Volume: 32
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
78A10383
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NGL-21-002-033
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available