Mars' Paleomagnetic Field as the Result of a Single-Hemisphere Dynamo

Mars' crustal magnetic field was most likely generated by dynamo action in the planet's early history. Unexplained characteristics of the field include its strength, concentration in the southern hemisphere, and lack of correlation with any surface features except for the hemispheric crust...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 2008-09, Vol.321 (5897), p.1822-1825
Main Authors: Stanley, Sabine, Elkins-Tanton, Linda, Zuber, Maria T., Parmentier, E. Marc
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Astrophysics
Boundary conditions
Cerebral hemispheres
Cosmic microwave background radiation
Cosmochemistry. Extraterrestrial geology
Earth sciences
Earth, ocean, space
Exact sciences and technology
Extraterrestrial geology
Heat flux
Magnetic field strength
Magnetic fields
Mars
Northern hemisphere
Planetology
Rotating generators
Southern hemisphere
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Summary:Mars' crustal magnetic field was most likely generated by dynamo action in the planet's early history. Unexplained characteristics of the field include its strength, concentration in the southern hemisphere, and lack of correlation with any surface features except for the hemispheric crustal dichotomy. We used numerical dynamo modeling to demonstrate that the mechanisms proposed to explain crustal dichotomy formation can result in a single-hemisphere dynamo. This dynamo produces strong magnetic fields in only the southern hemisphere. This magnetic field morphology can explain why Mars' crustal magnetic field intensities are substantially stronger in the southern hemisphere without relying on any postdynamo mechanisms.
ISSN:0036-8075
1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.1161119