Event Details

The peak of cosmic star-formation at z~2, 10 billion years ago, marks a transformative period for galaxies. The mechanisms that govern the rapid mass growth of galaxies at this time are now also thought to be dynamically disruptive --- (re-)shaping galaxies on short timescales. I will show how this bears out in observations. Using Hubble and Keck spectroscopy, I will show that the distribution of gas-phase metals and the kinematic nature of galaxies at this time necessitate a disruptive and inhospitable phase of galaxy assembly in the early universe.