The major differentiation of the Earth at ∼ 4.45 Ga

The revelation of a small 182W terrestrial excess relatively to the 182Hf–182W systematics in meteorites has led some authors to claim that the Earth experienced a rapid accretion and an early differentiation, 30–40 Ma after the birth of the solar system at 4.567 Ga. This interpretation has since been moderated, but the idea of an early segregation of the core is still widely advocated. We challenge this interpretation with quantitative arguments that concern Hf–W, U–Pb and I–Xe systematics on the Earth. isotopic composition of the bulk silicate Earth can be explained by an incomplete isotopic re-equilibration between primitive metal and silicate components during the segregation of the Earthʹs core. We consider that the primitive metal/silicate differentiation in planetesimals and the segregation of cores of planetary bodies occurred during the first million years and that the segregation of the major part of the Earthʹs core occurred late in respect to the 182Hf decay. Consequently, the non-equilibrated fraction of primitive silicate material is estimated to be small, between 6 and 14%, enough however to « open » the 182Hf–182W chronometer as is presently observed. ignificant, but incomplete, metal/silicate re-equilibration only slightly affects the U–Pb chronometer. A reappraisal of the Pb isotope composition of the bulk silicate Earth allows us to define the mean age of the Earthʹs coreʹs segregation, between 4.46 Ga and 4.38 Ga. This evaluation overlaps the time of outgassing of the atmosphere based on the 129I–129Xe systematics, 4.46–4.43 Ga. sider that the period around 4.45 Ga relates to the major primitive differentiation of the Earth. This scenario coherently and quantitatively explains the 182Hf–182W, 235, 238U–207, 206Pb, 129I–129Xe and 146Sm–142Nd terrestrial records and it is compatible with the radiometric constraints for the formation of the Moon and coherent with the ∼ 102 Ma time scale for the accretion of the Earth, as evaluated by current numerical simulations for terrestrial planet formation.