Abstract
In Chapters 2 and 3 we described the Earth in simple physical terms (seismic velocities and density), while in Chapters 4 and 5 we described the formation of the Earth and introduced the geochemical principles that determine how elements are partitioned. This is the first chapter that combines these physical and chemical types of information to examine a specific part of the Earth. The core has been chosen first, partly because it apparently lacks the complexity of the mantle and crust (though this apparent simplicity may be because of the difficulty of observing regions so deep in the Earth), and partly because an understanding of the core is needed more for a discussion of the mantle than vice versa.
Keywords
Inner Core Seismic Velocity Thermal Convection Outer Core Core BoundaryPreview
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Further Reading
General journals
- Bloxham and Gubbins (1989): popular account of the Earth’s magnetic field and, particularly, what happens in the core.Google Scholar
General books
- Merrill and McElhinny (1983): general review of the Earth’s magnetic field, its history, origin and a review of planetary magnetism.Google Scholar
- Verhoogen (1980): energy of the geodynamo.Google Scholar
Advanced journals
- Bloxham and Gubbins (1985): field and flows in the core.Google Scholar
- Jeanloz (1990): general review of the core.Google Scholar
- Jones and Drake (1986): discussion of the geochemical constraints on core formation and accretion models.Google Scholar
- Merrill and McFadden (1990): discussion of models of the Earth’s magnetic field and geodynamo.Google Scholar
- Ohtani et al. (1984): a discussion of oxygen as the outer core diluent.Google Scholar
Advanced books
- Anderson (1989a): this book contains a technical review of studies on the composition of the core.Google Scholar
- Melchior (1986): a rather mathematical treatment of the physical principles applicable to the core.Google Scholar
- Stacey (1977): dynamo theory of the magnetic field.Google Scholar