SUBSTRUCTURE OF THE INNER-CORE OF THE EARTH

Authors
HERNDON JM
Citation
Jm. Herndon, SUBSTRUCTURE OF THE INNER-CORE OF THE EARTH, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United Statesof America, 93(2), 1996, pp. 646-648
Citations number
29
Categorie Soggetti
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Journal title
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United Statesof America → ACNP
ISSN journal
00278424
Volume
93
Issue
2
Year of publication
1996
Pages
646 - 648
Database
ISI
SICI code
0027-8424(1996)93:2<646:SOTIOT>2.0.ZU;2-6
Abstract
The rationale is disclosed for a substructure within the Earth's inner core, consisting of an actinide subcore at the center of the Earth, s urrounded by a subshell composed of the products of nuclear fission an d radioactive decay. Estimates are made as to possible densities, phys ical dimensions, and chemical compositions. The feasibility for self-s ustaining nuclear fission within the subcore is demonstrated, and impl ications bearing on the structure and geodynamic activity of the inner core are discussed.