Zhongtian Zhang

I am a theoretical planetary geophysicist studying the formation and evolution of planetary bodies. My general research approach is to develop geophysical models and combine the model results with a variety of observations to propose, test, and constrain scenarios of planet formation and evolution. My thesis is about the formation and evolution of planetesimals and planetary embryos, and my thesis advisor is Prof. David Bercovici. I have worked on several different problems (covering planetesimals, planetary embryos, asteroids, and meteorite observations), but with a general and consistent goal of answering the question of how planetary bodies formed and how they evolved.

In September 2023, I started as a Carnegie Postdoctoral Fellow at the Earth and Planets Laboratory, Carnegie Institution for Science. For updated infromation, please check my website.

Selected Publications: 

Zhang, Z., Driscoll, P. E., 2025. Inefficient loss of moderately volatile elements from exposed planetesimal magma oceans. J. Geophys. Res., Planets 130 (2), e2024JE008671. https://doi.org/10.1029/2024JE008671

Zhang, Z., Wang, J., 2024. Quantification of classical and non-classical crystallization pathways in calcite precipitation. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 636, 118712. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2024.118712

Zhang, Z., 2024. Trace elements in IVA iron meteorites explained by limited solid-liquid equilibration during inward solidification. Icarus. 408, 115860. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2023.115860

Zhang, Z., 2023. Ice sublimation in planetesimals formed at the outward migrating snowline. Astrophys. J. Lett. 956 (L25). https://doi.org/10.3847/2041-8213/acfdaa

Zhang, Z., Bercovici, D., 2023. Generation of a measurable magnetic field in a metal asteroid with a rubble-pile inner core. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 120 (32), e2221696120. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2221696120

Zhang, Z., Bercovici, D., Elkins-Tanton, L. T., 2023. Melt migration in rubble-pile planetesimals: Implications for the formation of primitive achondrites. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 605, 118019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2023.118019

Zhang, Z., Bercovici, D., Elkins-Tanton, L. T., 2022. Cold compaction and macro-porosity removal in rubble-pile asteroids: 2. Applications. J. Geophys. Res., Planets 127, e2022JE007343. https://doi.org/10.1029/2022JE007343

Zhang, Z., Bercovici, D., Elkins-Tanton, L. T., 2022. Cold compaction and macro-porosity removal in rubble-pile asteroids: 1. Theory. J. Geophys. Res., Planets 127, e2022JE007342. https://doi.org/10.1029/2022JE007342

Zhang, Z., Bercovici, D., Jordan, J.S., 2021. A two-phase model for the evolution of planetary embryos with implications for the formation of Mars. J. Geophys. Res., Planets 126, e2020JE006754. https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JE006754

Zhang, Z., Karato, S.-I., 2021. The effect of pressure on grain-growth kinetics in olivine aggregates with some geophysical applications. J. Geophys. Res., Solid Earth 126, e2020JB020886. https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JB020886

Zhang, Z., Wu, B., Wang, T., Hui, H., 2020. Settling of immiscible droplets: A theoretical model for the missing link between microscopic and outcrop observations. J. Geophys. Res., Solid Earth 125, e2019JB018829. https://doi.org/10.1029/2019JB018829