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Evolution of a steam atmosphere during earth's accretionThe evolution of an impact-generated steam atmosphere around an accreting earth is presently modeled under the assumption of Safronov (1978) accretion, in a scheme that encompasses the degassing of planetesimals on impact, thermal blanketing by the steam atmosphere, surface-to-interior water exchange, the shock heating and convective cooling of the earth's interior, and hydrogen escape due both to solar EUV-powered planetary wind and impact erosion. The model yields four distinct classes of impact-generated atmospheres: the first, on which emphasis is placed, has as its salient feature a molten surface that is maintained by the opacity of a massive water vapor atmosphere; the second occurs when the EUV-limited escape exceeds the impact degassing rate, while the third is dominated by impact erosion and the fourth is characterized by an atmosphere more massive than any thus far encountered.
Document ID
19880046368
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Zahnle, Kevin J.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Kasting, James F.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Pollack, James B.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 13, 2013
Publication Date
April 1, 1988
Publication Information
Publication: Icarus
Volume: 74
ISSN: 0019-1035
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
88A33595
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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