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Coupling of the core dynamo and mantle: Thermal or topographic?
Author(s) -
Gubbins David,
Richards Mark
Publication year - 1986
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/gl013i013p01521
Subject(s) - dynamo , mantle (geology) , geology , geophysics , dynamo theory , thermal , core–mantle boundary , inner core , coupling (piping) , secular variation , magnetic field , physics , meteorology , materials science , quantum mechanics , metallurgy
Static features in the earth's magnetic field and fixed sources of secular variation suggest the dynamo is anchored to the lowermost mantle via either thermal or topographic coupling. Here we show a correspondence with dynamic core topography, which is related to mantle temperature, and suggest further effects due to topography associated with subducting slabs. The two coupling mechanisms may occur on different time scales, providing a potential means for discriminating between them.