The researchers hypothesize that the asteroid had a diameter somewhat larger than 100 kilometers, which would be sufficient to hold enough heat for the asteroid’s rocks to partially, but not completely, melt. The asteroid would remain undifferentiated, but the melted portions could erupt on the asteroid’s surface to form the andesitic crust.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Andesitic Crust Without Plate Tectonics? Crazy.
Half-baked Asteroids Have Earth-like Crust
