Steven A. Hauck, II

I study the evolution of interiors and surfaces of planetary bodies, including the Earth. Principally this involves computational studies of the mechanics of lithospheres, heat transport and dynamics of mantles of solid planets and satellites, and the cooling and crystallization of metallic cores. I also analyze data returned from planetary spacecraft missions to address such questions from an observational point of view. As a Participating Scientist on the MESSENGER Mission to Mercury, I analyzed the data collected to constrain the planet's internal history, structure, and origin of magnetic field. We have also been investigating potential mechanisms for generating magnetic fields in small planetary bodies such as Ganymede and Mercury as well as their internal evolution, including testing the case for "iron snow" forming near the core-mantle boundary, and understanding the role of the nucleation barrier for crystallization in metallic cores. We are also studying the tectonic histories of planets and moons as recorded in their impact basins and volcanic provinces.