Steve Elardo
  • Home
  • News
  • Research
  • Publications
  • Photography
  • Home Brewing
  • Contact

Research Overview

Picture
The principal goal of my research is to understand the processes by which planets differentiate into a core, mantle, and crust, and evolve geologically through time. The process of chemical and physical differentiation is perhaps the single most significant event in setting the stage for the geologic evolution of planets and large asteroids. Although the bodies of our Solar System formed from mixtures of similar materials, the processes of accretion, differentiation, and thermal evolution have produced wildly different planets. The fact that Earth, teeming with life, and the desolate, barren Moon have a remarkably similar bulk chemical composition speaks to the importance of the conditions present during planetary differentiation and the subsequent geologic evolution that is enabled. Understanding the processes that affect the thermal and magmatic evolution of planets throughout their history allows us to gain a better understanding of the reasons for differences between the planets in our Solar System and what conditions are favorable to the development of habitable worlds.

Primary Research Tools

Picture
Experimental Geochemistry
Picture
Planetary Materials
Picture
Non-Traditional Stable Isotopes

Recent Research Topics

Stable Isotopes and Planetary Differentiation

Iron isotope compositions vary widely across the planets. My research focuses on determining the origins of those variations using high pressure and temperature isotope exchange experiments to study how planetary differentiation fractionates iron isotopes. My results have shown the core formation has a significant impact on the iron isotope composition of planetary mantles.
More info...
Picture

Building and Altering the Planetary Crusts

Planetary crusts are the only portions of planets that we actually see and directly sample. They are also often the outward expression of a diverse range of geologic processes occurring on and within planets. One of the main focuses of my research program is understanding the processes that build and alter planetary crusts across the Solar System using a variety of tools.
More info...

Picture

Magmatic Evolution of Planetary Mantles

Magma geochemistry and mineralogy record processes occurring within planetary mantles. Using these records, this line of research focuses on understanding the formation and thermal and magmatic evolution of planets. This includes understanding the geochemical evolution of planetary mantles throughout a planets history as well as how planets incorporate and retain volatiles during their accretion and differentiation.
More info...

Picture

Cover Photo: A magnesium X-ray map of a high-temperature experiment designed to help unravel the formation of the Moon's crust.

"Planetary Materials" picture, depicting a martian meteorite, is courtesy of Carl Agee, University of New Mexico.

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • News
  • Research
  • Publications
  • Photography
  • Home Brewing
  • Contact