Deep-Earth reactor: Nuclear fission, helium, and the geomagnetic field

Geomagnetic field reversals and changes in intensity are understandable fro m an energy standpoint as natural consequences of intermittent and/or varia ble nuclear fission chain reactions deep within the Earth. Moreover, deep-E arth production of helium, having He-3/He-4 ratios within the range observe d from deep-mantle sources, is demonstrated to be a consequence of nuclear fission. Numerical simulations of a planetary-scale geo-reactor were made b y using the SCALE sequence of codes. The results clearly demonstrate that s uch a geo-reactor (i) would function as a fast-neutron fuel breeder reactor ; (ii) could, under appropriate conditions, operate over the entire period of geologic time; and (iii) would function in such a manner as to yield var iable and/or intermittent output power.