"Geochemical and Geochronological Testing of the Lunar Cataclysm Hypothesis"

Barbara Cohen

The lunar cataclysm hypothesis postulates that a large influx of impactors was anomalously introduced into the Earth-Moon system at ~3.9 Ga. If true, this hypothesis has far-reaching implications for the evolution of the lunar and terrestrial crusts, solar system dynamics, and the rise of life on Earth. This talk will focus on what evidence we can gather and what tests of the hypothesis we can make based on geochemistry (major and trace elements) and geochronology (radioelement dating) of lunar and other rocks.

Useful Link:    

Return to PSI Seminars Page