Lunar Core Dynamo Driven by Thermochemical Mantle Convection

Computer Science

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Lunar Core, Dynamo Theory, Lunar Evolution, Models, Thermochemistry, Lunar Geology, Heat Flux, Lunar Magnetic Fields

Scientific paper

The Moon presently has no internally generated magnetic field (i.e. core dynamo). However, an outstanding question resulting from the Apollo sample return missions is the possible existence of a lunar dynamo early in the Moon's history. Paleomagnetic data combined with radiometric ages obtained from lunar samples suggest the existence of a magnetic field from approximately 3.9-3.6 Ga (possibly beginning earlier), likely of comparable intensity as the Earth's present-day field. The implied existence of a lunar dynamo at least 500 Myr after the Moon's formation is difficult to explain. Assuming that a dynamo is driven by thermal convection in the core, the existence and duration of a dynamo correspond to periods when core heat flux exceeds the adiabatic heat flux (Qcmb) is greater than Qad. Since simple thermal evolution models for the Moon yield insufficient core heat flux to power a dynamo at such times, we explore alternative thermal evolutions.

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