Lunar and Planetary Institute

Dr. Christopher Herd

Astromaterials research through the application of microbeam analytical methods to meteorites, with a particular focus on Mars. Curator of the Alberta Meteorite Collection.

Research on the petrogenesis of meteorites from Mars, providing insights into:

Mantle sources of Martian meteorites, including redox reservoirs and the involvement of water
Conditions of crystallization of Martian basaltic melts and trace element partitioning
Involvement of near-surface fluids in the formation of secondary alteration products
Conditions of formation of shock melt pockets and veins

Research on the nature and origin of organic molecules in carbonaceous chondrites

Soluble organic analysis of the Tagish Lake meteorite
Sorption of hydrocarbons on mineral surfaces
Applications to curation and handling of planetary samples

Dr. Herd's personal web page

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Last updated
October 31, 2008