A MODEL TO EXPLAIN THE EARTH'S MAGNETIC FIELD AND OTHER GEODYNAMIC PHENOMENA

Abstract

Paleomagnetism and other geodynamic processes, such as mantle convection and sea‐floor spreading, are of basic importance to petroleum geology. We present a model that explains the cause of these phenomena. The model is founded on the fact that the core‐mantle interface is a super‐conducting region, and on the concept that the gravitational interaction between the Moon and the Earth's solid inner core decouples the angular velocities of the solid inner core, liquid outer core and mantle. The decoupling is analogous to the crust‐ocean decoupling that produces ocean tides. The continuous decoupling and resultant frictional heat produce a rotating equatorial “hot spot” on the outer surface of the liquid core. The “hot spot” generates a thermal power of up to 10 13 watts and an equatorial current of about 10 9 amperes. The current is held to a narrow equatorial path by the well‐known “pinch effect”. The total resistance of the equatorial circuit is no greater than 10 ‐10 ohms. The 10 9 ampere current creates the “polar” magnetic field. The secondary “non‐polar” fields are induction effects due to minor fluctuations (ripples) in the equatorial current. Paleomagnetic polarity reversals are initiated by turbulence, and by imbalances in kinetic pressure (nkT) and magnetic pressure (B 2 /2μ0). Westward drift is explained by the common direction of rotation and the differential angular velocities of the Earth's core and the Moon. The heat generated by the model explains the persistent molten state of the Earths core over a long geologic time, the nature of the deeper part of the geothermal gradient, and the non radiogenic heat emitted by the Earth. This heat is sufficient to drive all thermally‐driven geodynamic processes that are of deep origin.The model is consistent in general with planetary magnetism, in that those planets that are known to have significant magnetic fields also have moons.