Presenter: Diana VALENCIA
Abstract:
As the search for small planets that may harbour life intensifies, it is important that we think of habitable worlds in the largest possible context. We envision habitable planets as those that have liquid water on their surfaces, which requires more than just the right insolation from the star. We understand from the Earth, that plate tectonics has enabled an exchange of CO2 and water between the mantle and the atmosphere that has kept the surface balmy for billions of years. It is worth investigating if other tectonics settings can enable the same negative feedback mechanism. In this talk I will review the current theories on what tectonic settings other planets may have and the implications for their atmospheres and climates.