Causes and consequences of outer core stratification

Abstract

The Earth’s outer core appears to be compositionally layered. Exotic mechanisms such as an original chemically layered core preserved from the Earth’s accretionary period, or compositionally different core material delivered by a Moon-creating impactor are conceivable, but require a core whose outermost part has been stratified throughout core history, relying on unknowable processes to achieve. Barodiffusion and core-mantle reaction lead to layers significantly thinner than observed. We show that a balance of mass transferred from the inner core to the top of the outer core is possible, and that the stratification could arise as a byproduct of light element accumulation. However, if a subadiabatic thermal gradient at the top of the outer core exists that quells radial flow, it could serve as a witness of light element accumulation by preventing mixing with the convecting part of the core. The temperature difference through a subadiabatic layer could be 80–300K and carry heat fluxes through the core-mantle boundary of 0.5–23 TW, given uncertainty in core properties.