SubsidieMeestersHigh Temperature Dynamics of Metals and the Earth’s Solid Inner Core
HotCores aims to investigate the inner core's structure and dynamics through high-pressure experiments on iron alloys to enhance understanding of its evolution and impact on Earth's magnetic field.
Projectdetails
Introduction
The Earth's inner core (IC) is a 1220 km radius planet within the Earth, made of solid iron (Fe) crystallizing from the outer core (OC) as the Earth cools down. The IC affects our life at the surface; its growth provides a major source of energy for maintaining the Earth's magnetic field.
Seismic Exploration
One may view the IC as a freezing ball of Fe floating at the center of the OC, but seismic exploration reveals structures of increasing complexity, raising fundamental questions on the history and internal dynamics of the IC. Geophysical observations unearth the IC as it is today.
Understanding the IC
Understanding the history of the IC and the effect of the IC on global Earth dynamics, however, requires a reconstruction based on today's observations and knowledge of the physical properties of the IC Fe alloy. This includes:
- How these properties could affect IC dynamics.
- Their relation with present-day geophysical observables.
Knowledge Gaps
There are significant knowledge gaps and outdated principles regarding the underlying physical properties of the IC Fe alloy. The IC temperature is close to melting, and the IC might even be partially molten.
Key Questions
Key questions arise regarding the IC:
- How does temperature affect the mechanical properties of the IC Fe alloy?
- What is the effect of temperature and partial melting on seismic observables such as wave travel time and attenuation?
This is poorly known and hinders our interpretation capability of the ever-growing body of geophysical observations.
HotCores Project
In HotCores, advanced high pressure and/or high temperature experiments will be performed on Fe alloys and analogues. I propose to reenact key events of the history of the IC in the laboratory, as Fe crystallizes at the inner-outer-core boundary, as the IC grows and dynamically evolves to its present state, and as we see it today through the lenses of geophysical exploration.
Future Directions
What is the structure and dynamics of the IC? How will the IC evolve in the future? HotCores aims at providing the mineralogical foundation that will help solve these mysteries.
Financiële details & Tijdlijn
Financiële details
| Subsidiebedrag | € 2.498.805 |
| Totale projectbegroting | € 2.498.805 |
Tijdlijn
| Startdatum | 1-12-2022 |
| Einddatum | 30-11-2027 |
| Subsidiejaar | 2022 |
Partners & Locaties
Projectpartners
- UNIVERSITE DE LILLEpenvoerder
- CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS
Land(en)
Vergelijkbare projecten binnen European Research Council
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Light elements in the core
LECOR aims to identify light elements in Earth's core by studying iron alloys under extreme conditions using advanced synchrotron X-ray techniques, refining models of planetary formation.
Unravelling the first Babbles of the Earth Inner Core History
UBEICH aims to refine the timeline of Earth's inner core formation using innovative paleomagnetic techniques to enhance understanding of planetary habitability and core evolution.
Formation and Evolution of the Earth with Volatile Elements
This project aims to quantify volatile elements in Earth's core and bulk silicate Earth through experiments, enhancing models of planetary evolution and atmospheric development.
Core dynamics on millennial timescales
PALEOCORE aims to develop an integrated core-field core-flow model to understand Earth's core dynamics over millennial timescales and forecast future magnetic field changes.
The origin and evolution of a blastered Mercury
IronHeart aims to experimentally determine Mercury's core and mantle compositions to clarify its structure and evolution, enhancing understanding of dense exoplanets and Earth's formation.
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