Differentiation is the process of segregation of zones of different chemical or mineralogical properties within a celestial body. In planetary (or satellite) scale differentiation the zones are concentric, with denser materials at greater depth. Differentiated rocky bodies, such as the terrestrial planets, the Earth's Moon and some asteroids, typically have cores of metal (or metal plus sulfide) beneath silicate outer layers. In many cases the silicates are further differentiated into a crust (q.v.) of material of lower density and/or melting temperature overlying a mantle (q.v.). Differentiated icy bodies typically consist of a rocky core (silicates plus metal) beneath an exterior of ice. Although the term ‘differentiation’ is usually applied to solid bodies, analogous processes occur in the interiors and deep atmospheres of the Jovian planets. All of the planets, with the possible exception of Pluto, are believed to be differentiated. At least some satellites (e.g. the Moon) and...
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Swindle, T.D. (1997). Differentiation . In: Encyclopedia of Planetary Science. Encyclopedia of Earth Science. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/1-4020-4520-4_105
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/1-4020-4520-4_105
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