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Wave-based imaging of Earth’s liquid core from space

Project description

New approach to study Earth’s liquid core

Imaging the Earth’s interior has traditionally relied on seismic waves that provide snapshots of its solid structure. However, understanding the dynamics of the liquid core remains difficult. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the WIMECS project will apply an innovative approach involving hydromagnetic waves, which interact with the magnetic field in the liquid core, to reveal its hidden properties. Combining high-quality satellite geomagnetic measurements with new discoveries about these waves, the proposed method will enable wave-based imaging of Earth’s liquid core from space. This innovative technique will deepen understanding of the geodynamo – the process generating Earth’s magnetic field – and its role in shielding life from solar radiation.

Objective

Wave propagation is a crucial tool for media imaging; well known applications include medical ultrasounds, geophysical seismic tomography, oceanic sonar, atmospheric radar. Within geophysics, seismic wave sounding has revolutionised our ability to image snapshots of the deep interior structure of the solid Earth. In this proposal, I outline a new but related approach using magnetic sounding to produce new insights into the dynamics of the Earth’s fluid interior.
My proposal builds on two recent advances: the current data-rich era of high quality satellite geomagnetic measurements, and new discoveries from my research on hydromagnetic waves in the electrically conducting Earth’s liquid core. Together, they will allow me for the first time to realise Wave-based IMaging of Earth’s liquid Core from Space (WIMECS). Unlike seismic waves, hydromagnetic waves are sensitive to the magnetic field in the liquid core, acting as a waveguide. Probing this otherwise inaccessible property of the core will advance our understanding of the geodynamo, the mechanism that generates the Earth’s magnetic field. These advances will not only improve our knowledge of the structure and history of the Earth including the dynamics of the planetary-scale magnetic field, but also of how the magnetic field shields life on the Earth’s surface from harmful solar radiation. This novel imaging method will be made possible through my move to the University of Leeds, hosting one of the world-leading hubs of geophysical fluid dynamics and geomagnetism.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01

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Coordinator

UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS
Net EU contribution
€ 276 187,92
Address
WOODHOUSE LANE
LS2 9JT Leeds
United Kingdom
Region
Yorkshire and the Humber West Yorkshire Leeds
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost
No data