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High Temperature Dynamics of Metals and the Earth’s Solid Inner Core

Objective

The Earths inner-core (IC) is 1220 km radius planet within the Earth, made of solid iron (Fe) crystallizing from the outer core (OC) as the Earth cools down. The IC affects our life at the surface; its growth provides a major source of energy for maintaining the Earths magnetic field. One may view the IC as a freezing ball of Fe floating at the center of the OC, but seismic exploration reveal structures of increasing complexity, raising fundamental questions on the history and internal dynamics of the IC. Geophysical observations unearth the IC as it is today. Understanding the history of the IC and the effect of the IC on the global Earth dynamics, however, requires a reconstruction based on todays observations and knowledge of the physical properties of the IC Fe alloy, how they could affect IC dynamics, and their relation with present-day geophysical observables. There are significant knowledge gaps and outdated principles regarding the underlying physical properties of the IC Fe alloy. The IC temperature is close to melting, and the IC might even be partially molten. How does temperature affect of the mechanical properties of the IC Fe alloy? What is the effect of temperature and partial melting on seismic observables such as wave travel time and attenuation? This is poorly known and it hinders our interpretation capability of the ever-growing body of geophysical observations. In HotCores, advanced high pressure and/or high temperature experiments will be performed on Fe alloys and analogues. I propose to reenact key events of the history of the IC in the laboratory, as Fe crystallizes at the inner-outer-core boundary, as the IC grows and dynamically evolves to its present state, and as we see it today through the lenses of geophysical exploration. What is the structure and dynamics of the IC? How will the IC evolve in the future? HotCores aims at providing the mineralogical foundation that will help solving these mysteries.

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Keywords

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

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HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) ERC-2021-ADG

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Host institution

UNIVERSITE DE LILLE
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 2 435 665,00
Address
42 RUE PAUL DUEZ
59000 Lille
France

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Region
Hauts-de-France Nord-Pas de Calais Nord
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 2 498 805,00

Beneficiaries (2)

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