volatile component
Quick Summary
In geology, "volatile" refers to substances that readily vaporize at relatively low temperatures. These volatile components, such as water vapor and carbon dioxide, played a crucial role in the early Earth's atmosphere formation through outgassing from the planet's interior.123
During Earth's formation, volatile compounds coated the solid particles that accreted to form the planet. As Earth heated and differentiated, these trapped volatiles were released through volcanic eruptions and hydrothermal vents. This outgassing significantly contributed to the secondary atmosphere, differing in composition from the primordial gases of the solar nebula.24
Volatiles also profoundly influence magmas, reducing their viscosity and lowering crystallization temperatures. In late-stage magmatic processes, a volatile-rich fluid can segregate from the magma, facilitating the formation of specific rock types like pegmatites and ore deposits. The geochemical cycle also involves the release of volatiles to the atmosphere during processes like magma crystallization and weathering.567
- volatile
- evolution of the atmosphere - Outgassing of the solid planet
- evolution of the atmosphere - Materials
- evolution of the atmosphere - Origin
- igneous rock - Effects of water and other volatiles
- igneous rock - Pegmatites and late-stage mineralization
- geochemical cycle
- igneous rock - Nature of magmas
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evolution of the atmosphereThe atmosphere as part of the crust…must concern itself with all volatile components of the crust.
Read More…must concern itself with all volatile components of the crust.
Read More- evolution of the atmosphereMaterials
…speak of Earth’s “inventory of volatiles,” recognizing that the components of the inventory may be reorganized from time to time, but also that it is always composed primarily of the compounds of hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen, along with the noble gases.
Read More…speak of Earth’s “inventory of volatiles,” recognizing that the components of the inventory may be reorganized from time to time, but also that it is always composed primarily of the compounds of hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen, along with the noble gases.
Read More - evolution of the atmosphereOutgassing of the solid planet
Long before the volatile components of the cloud began to condense to form massive solid phases (that is, long before water vapour condensed to form ice), their molecules would have coated the surfaces of the solid particles of rocky material that were forming. As these solid particles continued…
Read MoreLong before the volatile components of the cloud began to condense to form massive solid phases (that is, long before water vapour condensed to form ice), their molecules would have coated the surfaces of the solid particles of rocky material that were forming. As these solid particles continued…
Read More - evolution of the atmosphereSecondary atmosphere
…its origin, the inventory of volatile elements on which it is based has not.
Read More…its origin, the inventory of volatile elements on which it is based has not.
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hydrosphereThe early hydrosphere…vapour, have been called excess volatiles because their masses cannot be accounted for simply by rock weathering. These volatiles are thought to have formed the early atmosphere of Earth. At an initial crustal temperature of about 600 °C (about 1,100 °F), almost all of these compounds, including water (H2O), would…
Read More…vapour, have been called excess volatiles because their masses cannot be accounted for simply by rock weathering. These volatiles are thought to have formed the early atmosphere of Earth. At an initial crustal temperature of about 600 °C (about 1,100 °F), almost all of these compounds, including water (H2O), would…
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solar systemDifferentiation into inner and outer planets…high to allow the abundant volatile substances—those with comparatively low freezing temperatures—such as water, carbon dioxide, and ammonia to condense to their ices. They therefore remained small rocky bodies. In contrast, the large low-density, gas-rich outer planets formed at distances beyond what astronomers have dubbed the “snow line”—i.e., the minimum…
Read More…high to allow the abundant volatile substances—those with comparatively low freezing temperatures—such as water, carbon dioxide, and ammonia to condense to their ices. They therefore remained small rocky bodies. In contrast, the large low-density, gas-rich outer planets formed at distances beyond what astronomers have dubbed the “snow line”—i.e., the minimum…
Read More