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Earth Planetary Science Seminar – Dr. Jupiter Hansen (Cheng) “Origins and Growth of Fractures on Low Gravity Bodies: Insight from Earth to Asteroid 4 Vesta”.

February 4 @ 8:00 pm - 9:15 pm

Fracturing on small planetary bodies is controlled by low gravity, which differs from what is observed on Earth and other large planets. Studying the tectonics of small bodies is crucial for understanding the planetary evolution of recent and past lithospheres, from large to small, rocky to non-rocky bodies in the Solar System. Asteroid 4 Vesta displays a remarkably large set of troughs, Divalia Fossae, encircling the asteroid around the equator, while planetary-scale impact basins occupy most of the southern hemisphere. A series of geologic constraints are inconsistent with the leading hypothesis that the Divalia Fossae were directly formed by the large impact in the southern hemisphere via normal faulting, but rather had a spinning-related origin as a long-term consequence of large impacts, accommodating opening-mode displacements. A field investigation of the Koa’e Fault System, Hawaii studied the transition from jointing to faulting, which is comparable to the proposed fracturing process on low-gravity bodies. This research investigates several topics related to the growth and origin of fractures on low-gravity planetary bodies, drawing a comprehensive understanding of the deformation of planetary lithospheres.

Short Bio:
Jupiter Hansen (Cheng) is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Alabama, specializing in structural geology and planetary science. Her work explores how deformation and tectonic evolution differ across small and large planetary bodies, including Earth, Venus, Mercury, Ceres, and Vesta, through field studies, remote sensing, modeling, and rock mechanics. She completed her doctoral degree from the University of Georgia in May 2023, researching the tectonics of Asteroid Vesta. After that, she briefly served as a visiting assistant professor at Appalachian State University. Asteroid 32027 Jupitercheng was named for her research on asteroid science.
* For the Zoom link please email Xueyao Cheng > xc272@stanford.edu or Jseymens@stanford.edu

Venue

Building 320, Geology Corner, Room 220 and Zoom