Exoplanet Climate: Can Planets Have Multiple Liquid Layers?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion explores the possibility of planets having multiple liquid layers, such as an ocean of water with a deeper ocean of a heavier liquid. It examines the conditions under which such structures could exist, including circulation patterns similar to those on Earth.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that multiple liquid layers are possible depending on pressure and temperature, referencing the Phase Diagram of Water.
  • Others note that Earth has a molten rock layer, suggesting that terrestrial planets can have multiple liquid layers.
  • It is mentioned that gas giants like Jupiter likely have multiple layers, with one participant asserting that Jupiter could retain water as ice under high atmospheric pressure.
  • One participant brings up the example of Titan, which has lakes of hydrocarbons, indicating that hydrocarbon oceans can float on water oceans.
  • Another participant questions why multi-layer oceans would circulate less than shallow oceans, suggesting that submarine CO2 oceans could experience violent eruptions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express multiple competing views on the existence and behavior of liquid layers on planets, with no consensus reached on the specifics of circulation or the implications of different liquid compositions.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding the assumptions made about pressure, temperature, and the specific conditions required for different liquid layers to exist. The discussion also relies on various interpretations of the Phase Diagram of Water.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those studying planetary science, astrophysics, or fluid dynamics, particularly in relation to exoplanetary climates and compositions.

Brage Eidsvik
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Is it possible for planets to have multiple liquid layers? Like a ocean made of water, with an ocean within, consisting of a heavier liquid. And could it have a sirculation, as water does on Earth?
 
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Brage Eidsvik said:
Is it possible for planets to have multiple liquid layers? Like a ocean made of water, with an ocean within, consisting of a heavier liquid. And could it have a sirculation, as water does on Earth?
Absolutely. It all depends on the pressure and temperature. As the Phase Diagram of Water below indicates:

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Brage Eidsvik said:
Is it possible for planets to have multiple liquid layers?

Earth does. It has molten rock layer.
 
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Earth even has lakes and rivers of brine deep under miles of ocean.

The gas giants should have multiple layers. Jupiter certainly does.
 
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Look closer at the Phase Diagram of Water, above. Ice XII, Ice X, and Ice Xi can be
solid - above the normal boiling point of water!

You could move a planet such as Jupiter, when moved
down to the orbit of Venus - and it still have all water present as
Ice ... if the atmospheric pressure is
high enough.
 
Brage Eidsvik said:
Is it possible for planets to have multiple liquid layers? Like a ocean made of water, with an ocean within, consisting of a heavier liquid. And could it have a sirculation, as water does on Earth?

Has been demonstrated by Exxon and BP. Hydrocarbon lakes or oceans will float on water oceans. You could have a water lake the bottom of a hydrocarbon ocean. You can also have CO2 under water if the pressure is high enough. Lake Nyos is an example on Earth.

Why would multi-layer oceans circulate less than a shallow oceans? Submarine CO2 oceans could have violent eruptions.
 

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