The Unique Earth

Left-hand Panel: On Earth, the only known habitable planet, plate tectonics stabilizes the long-term climate and a magnetic field protects us from cosmic radiation. Volcanism and volatile degassing are linked to plate tectonics or Large Igneous Provinces (LIPs) sourced by plumes from the margins of two antipodal thermochemical piles in the deep mantle known as Large Low Shear-wave Velocity Provinces (LLSVPs).

Right-hand Panel: On other planets, a stagnant lid insulates the interior, plumes form randomly, there is no magnetic field, water/hydrogen has been lost to space, the surface is dry/uninhabitable, an inner solid core may not have evolved, and water and life-components can be missing. An atmosphere can also be lost (Mercury) or very thin (e.g. Mars).

PI’s oversee specific research topics: I=Interior (mantle/core); W=Water; T=Tectonics, A=Atmosphere; L=Life; C=Climate.