Dynamo waves are oscillating solutions of the induction equation of magnetohydrodynamics (q.v.), which typically involve magnetic field fluctuations on global scales (possibly including global reversals), and fluctuate with periods related to the timescale of magnetic diffusion (i.e., ca. 103–104 years, for the Earth). They arise as oscillatory solutions of the kinematic dynamo problem (q.v.): the linear problem for the generation of magnetic field subject to the inductive action of a specified flow. The concept of dynamo waves can be extended beyond the linear regime, however, as the oscillatory behavior is often retained in nonlinear solutions; and in scenarios involving fluctuating velocities, such waves are invoked by several proposed mechanisms for geomagnetic reversals (see Reversals, theory ).
In this usage, dynamo waves should be distinguished from other forms of magnetohydrodynamic waves (q.v.), including Alfvén waves (q.v.), and magnetic torsional oscillations (q.v.). The...
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsBibliography
Aubert, J., and Wicht, J., 2004. Axial vs. equatorial dipolar dynamo models with implications for planetary magnetic fields. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 221: 409–419.
Braginsky, S.I., 1964. Kinematic models of the Earth's hydrodynamic dynamo. Geomagnetism and Aeronomy, 4: 572–583 (English translation).
Giesecke, A., Rüdiger, G., and Elstner, D., 2005. Oscillating α 2‐dynamos and the reversal phenomenon of the global geodynamo. Astronomische Nachrichten, 326: 693–700.
Glatzmaier, G.A., and Roberts, P.H., 1995. A three‐dimensional self‐consistent computer simulation of a geomagnetic field reversal. Nature, 377: 203–209.
Gubbins, D., 1987. Mechanisms for geomagnetic polarity reversals. Nature, 326: 167–169.
Gubbins, D., and Gibbons, S., 2002. Three‐dimensional dynamo waves in a sphere Geophysical and Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics, 96: 481–498.
Gubbins, D., and Sarson, G., 1994. Geomagnetic field morphologies from a kinematic dynamo model. Nature, 368: 51–55.
Hagee, V.L., and Olson, P., 1991. Dynamo models with permanent dipole fields and secular variation. Journal of Geophysical Research, 96: 11673–11687.
Holme, R., 1997. Three‐dimensional kinematic dynamos with equatorial symmetry: Application to the magnetic fields of Uranus and Neptune. Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors, 102: 105–122.
Moffatt, H.K., 1978. Magnetic Field Generation in Electrically Conducting Fluids. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Parker, E.N., 1955. Hydromagnetic dynamo models. Astrophysical Journal, 121: 293–314.
Parker, E.N., 1979. Cosmical Magnetic Fields. Oxford: Clarendon Press.
Rädler, K.‐H., Wiedemann, E., Brandenburg, A., Meinel, R., and Tuominen, I., 1990. Nonlinear mean‐field dynamo models: Stability and evolution of three‐dimensional magnetic field configurations. Astronomy and Astrophysics, 239: 413–423.
Roberts, P.H., 1972. Kinematic dynamo models. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, Series A, 272: 663–698.
Takahashi, F., Matsushima, M., and Honkura, Y., 2005. Simulations of a quasi‐Taylor state geomagnetic field including polarity reversals on the Earth simulator. Science, 309: 459–461.
Wicht, J., and Olson, P., 2004. A detailed study of the polarity reversal mechanism in a numerical dynamo model. Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems, 5: Q03H10.
Willis, A.P., and Gubbins, D., 2004. Kinematic dynamo action in a sphere: effects of periodic time‐dependent flows on solutions with axial dipole symmetry. Geophysical and Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics, 98: 537–554.
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2007 Springer-Verlag
About this entry
Cite this entry
Sarson, G.R. (2007). Dynamo Waves. In: Gubbins, D., Herrero-Bervera, E. (eds) Encyclopedia of Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-4423-6_68
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-4423-6_68
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-1-4020-3992-8
Online ISBN: 978-1-4020-4423-6
eBook Packages: Earth and Environmental ScienceReference Module Physical and Materials ScienceReference Module Earth and Environmental Sciences