3
$\begingroup$

I have some trouble trying to understand, why streams and convections in the outer liquid earth core, coriolis forces etc. would create an electric current?
Because you probably need an electric potential first and what then is the cause of the electric potential?
Is it perhaps a property of the earth mantle to have regions that are polarized?

$\endgroup$
1
  • $\begingroup$ Perhaps caused by tiny initial magnetic matter where nobody knows where this comes from? $\endgroup$
    – Marijn
    Commented Oct 13, 2016 at 9:53

1 Answer 1

3
$\begingroup$

Although Temperature boundary conditions at the mantle do affect the dynamo that sustains itself in the earth's core, it is unlikely that the dynamo's genesis came out of polarized regions in the earth's mantle.

Regardless of the manner of genesis of the core, it is now a self-sustaining dynamo where electric current creates a magnetic field which in turn generates electric current owing to rotation of the earth much as in an electric generator. If you want to read more about it in detail, I would recommend an excellent review paper by Prof. Binod Sreenivasan available at http://ceas.iisc.ernet.in/~bsreeni/currsci10.pdf

$\endgroup$

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.