Convection and Dynamo in the Earth's Fluid Core
Lead Research Organisation:
UNIVERSITY OF EXETER
Department Name: Engineering Computer Science and Maths
Abstract
Constructing numerical geodynamo models with sufficient geophysical realism on modern massively parallel computers is of both practical and scientific importance. Supported by a NERC grant (NER/O/S/2001/01262, running 01/10/2003 to 26/12/2007), we have taken a major step towards the development of a new generation, EBE (element-by-element) finite element geodynamo code that has two main significant advantages: it is particularly suitable for modern massively parallel computers achieving nearly linear scalability and it is highly flexible to be capable of incorporating geophysical realism such as non-spherical geometry and local variations. This application requests funding for one PDRA at Exeter to continue/extend our existing productive research on the asymptotic convection study and geodynamo modeling and to advance our understanding of the spatial and temporal structure of non-magnetic nonlinear convection in the Earth's liquid core and of how the convection-driven geodynamo operating in an electrically conducting fluid core and the pattern of magnetic flux emanating from the Earth's liquid core are affected by an electrically heterogeneous lower mantle.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
Keke Zhang (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Chan K
(2011)
Simulations of fluid motion in spheroidal planetary cores driven by latitudinal libration
in Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors
Chan K
(2011)
Simulations of fluid motion in ellipsoidal planetary cores driven by longitudinal libration
in Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors
Jones C
(2011)
Anelastic convection-driven dynamo benchmarks
in Icarus
Kong D
(2014)
EQUATORIAL ZONAL JETS AND JUPITER's GRAVITY
in The Astrophysical Journal
Kong D
(2013)
A THREE-DIMENSIONAL NUMERICAL SOLUTION FOR THE SHAPE OF A ROTATIONALLY DISTORTED POLYTROPE OF INDEX UNITY
in The Astrophysical Journal
Kong D
(2014)
The sidewall-localized mode in a resonant precessing cylinder
in Physics of Fluids
Kong D
(2014)
Swimming motion of rod-shaped magnetotactic bacteria: the effects of shape and growing magnetic moment.
in Frontiers in microbiology
Kong D
(2012)
ON THE VARIATION OF ZONAL GRAVITY COEFFICIENTS OF A GIANT PLANET CAUSED BY ITS DEEP ZONAL FLOWS
in The Astrophysical Journal
Kong D
(2013)
Gravitational signature of rotationally distorted Jupiter caused by deep zonal winds
in Icarus
Kong D
(2014)
The shape, internal structure and gravity of the fast spinner ß Pictoris b
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters
Kong D
(2010)
Shapes of two-layer models of rotating planets
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets
Kong D
(2014)
On the transition from the laminar to disordered flow in a precessing spherical-like cylinder
in Geophysical & Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics
Kong D
(2013)
ON THE GRAVITATIONAL FIELDS OF MACLAURIN SPHEROID MODELS OF ROTATING FLUID PLANETS
in The Astrophysical Journal
Li L
(2010)
On nonlinear multiarmed spiral waves in slowly rotating fluid systems
in Physics of Fluids
Liao X
(2010)
A new Legendre-type polynomial and its application to geostrophic flow in rotating fluid spheres
in Proceedings of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences
Liao X
(2010)
Asymptotic and numerical solutions of the initial value problem in rotating planetary fluid cores
in Geophysical Journal International
Liao X
(2012)
On flow in weakly precessing cylinders: the general asymptotic solution
in Journal of Fluid Mechanics
Schubert G
(2011)
Shapes and gravitational fields of rotating two-layer Maclaurin ellipsoids: Application to planets and satellites
in Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors
Zhan X
(2012)
Anelastic convection-driven dynamo benchmarks: A finite element model
in Icarus
Zhan X
(2011)
A full-sphere convection-driven dynamo: Implications for the ancient geomagnetic field
in Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors
Zhang K
(2017)
Asymptotic theory for torsional convection in rotating fluid spheres
in Journal of Fluid Mechanics
Zhang K
(2015)
Inertial convection in a rotating narrow annulus: Asymptotic theory and numerical simulation
in Physics of Fluids
Zhang K
(2012)
Asymptotic theory of resonant flow in a spheroidal cavity driven by latitudinal libration
in Journal of Fluid Mechanics
Zhang K
(2013)
The non-resonant response of fluid in a rapidly rotating sphere undergoing longitudinal libration
in Journal of Fluid Mechanics
ZHANG K
(2011)
On fluid motion in librating ellipsoids with moderate equatorial eccentricity
in Journal of Fluid Mechanics
Description | We have discovered the possible resonance in planetary systems due to libration. A new asymptotic theory for the classical problem of thermal convection in rotating spheres is developed. |
Exploitation Route | The findings have motivated several lab/numerical experiments. |
Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Other |
Description | My findings presented in my theory have been confirmed several lab experiments. |
First Year Of Impact | 2013 |
Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Other |
Impact Types | Cultural |