GEOMAGNETISM a dynamo at the centre of the Earth.ppt

GEOMAGNETISM: a dynamo at the centre of the Earth Lecture 1 How the dynamo is powered Lecture 2 How the dynamo works Lecture 3 Interpreting the observations Lecture 4 Thermal core-mantle interactions Lecture 1How the dynamo is powered Gubbins, D., D. Alfe, G. Masters, D Price M.J. Gillan “Can the Earth’s dynamo run on heat alone?” “Gross thermodynamics of 2-component core convection” - both under review for Geophysical Journal International ENERGY LOST THROUGH ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE Magnetic field decays in 15,000 years Energy loss is 1011 - 1012 W THE MODEL Core cooling drives convection Perhaps some radioactive heating Inner core freezes - more latent heat… …and releases light material that drives convection through… Release of gravitational energy THE BASIC STATE Pressure is nearly hydrostatic: Convective velocity diffusion… …means core is well mixed …including entropy Temperature is adiabatic GRUNEISSEN’S PARAMETER INNER CORE FREEZING THE FIRST TWIST... Conservation of energy does not equate the energy required with the heat lost by the magnetic field, in fact it does not involve the magnetic field at all! ENERGY FLOW CHART ENTROPY BALANCE Dissipation gives entropy gains: thermal conduction electrical conduction Offset by entropy losses if TinTout BACKUS’ IDEAL DYNAMO THE SECOND TWIST... GRAVITATIONAL ENERGY Is calculated from the work done in assembling all the mass from infinity The gravitational force is conservative, so we can do this however we like Assemble the mass of the Earth slowly, maintaining hydrostatic pressure Then all of the gravitational energy goes into compaction, except for…. …a small amount caused by pressure heating PRESSURE HEATING PRESSURE EFFECT ON FREEZING SUMMARY - HEAT ONLY ADIABATIC GRADIENTS HEAT BUDGET RESULTS FOR THERMAL CONVECTION COMPOSITIONAL CONVECTION Light material released at the inner core boundary on freezing rises to stir the core Energy source is Earth’s gravitational energy This changes as light mate