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The effect of hyperviscosity on geodynamo models
Author(s) -
Zhang K.,
Jones C. A.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/97gl02955
Subject(s) - dynamo , hyperviscosity , dynamo theory , convection , geophysics , physics , ekman number , magnetic field , mechanics , geology , blood viscosity , medicine , cardiology , quantum mechanics
Some fundamental difficulties in the construction of an Earth‐like dynamo model and the role of hyperviscosity in attempting to overcome these difficulties are discussed. An Earth‐like convection model influenced by an imposed toroidal magnetic field is investigated both with and without the effect of hyperviscosity. It is shown that hyperviscosity affects the dynamics of convection significantly; the effect is similar in some respects to that of a strong magnetic field. The effective Ekman number, a key parameter for an Earthlike dynamo model, is substantially increased when hyperviscosity is employed.