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Radiogenic heating sustains long-lived volcanism and magnetic dynamos in super-Earths
Haiyang Luo1, Joseph G O'Rourke2, Jie Deng1
1Department of Geosciences, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA.
Science Advances
|September 13, 2024
Summary
Radiogenic elements like potassium, thorium, and uranium become siderophile under super-Earth core formation conditions. This shifts mantle convection drivers, increasing core-mantle boundary heat flow and potentially fueling volcanism and magnetic dynamos.
Area of Science:
- Planetary Science
- Geophysics
- Astrochemistry
Background:
- Radiogenic heat production from potassium, thorium, and uranium is crucial for planetary energy budgets.
- These elements were traditionally considered lithophile, concentrating in planetary mantles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the behavior of radiogenic elements under super-Earth core formation conditions.
- To understand the implications for mantle convection and internal heat transfer in super-Earths.
Main Methods:
- Thermodynamic modeling of element partitioning.
- Simulations of mantle convection under high-pressure, high-temperature conditions.
Main Results:
- Potassium, thorium, and uranium exhibit siderophile behavior under super-Earth core formation pressures and temperatures.
- Radiogenic elements preferentially partition into the core, not the mantle.
- This partitioning significantly elevates core-mantle boundary temperatures and heat flow.
Conclusions:
- Mantle convection in super-Earths is primarily driven by core heating.
- Super-Earths may possess sustained volcanism and powerful magnetic dynamos due to increased core heat flux.
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