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1: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2001 Sep 25;98(20):11085-90. Epub 2001 Sep 18.Click here to read Click here to read Links

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

Hollenbach DF, Herndon JM.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory, P.O. Box 2008, Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6370, USA. hoeelnbachdf@ornl.gov

Geomagnetic field reversals and changes in intensity are understandable from an energy standpoint as natural consequences of intermittent and/or variable nuclear fission chain reactions deep within the Earth. Moreover, deep-Earth production of helium, having (3)He/(4)He ratios within the range observed from deep-mantle sources, is demonstrated to be a consequence of nuclear fission. Numerical simulations of a planetary-scale geo-reactor were made by using the SCALE sequence of codes. The results clearly demonstrate that such 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 variable and/or intermittent output power.

PMID: 11562483 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

PMCID: PMC58687