1996/01/23 by J. Marvin Herndon · 5 citations
Earth and Planetary Sciences · Environmental Science · Chemistry · #earthquake and tectonic studies #Radioactive contamination and transfer #Radioactive element chemistry and processing #Substructure #Inner core #Earth (classical element) #Actinide #Core (optical fiber) #Transuranium element #Nuclear fission #Fission #Nuclear physics #Nuclear data #Physics #Neutron #Geophysics
paper · doi:10.1073/pnas.93.2.646
openalex publication_date 1996/01/23 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
The rationale is disclosed for a substructure within the Earth's inner core, consisting of an actinide subcore at the center of the Earth, surrounded by a subshell composed of the products of nuclear fission and radioactive decay. Estimates are made as to possible densities, physical dimensions, and chemical compositions. The feasibility for self-sustaining nuclear fission within the subcore is demonstrated, and implications bearing on the structure and geodynamic activity of the inner core are discussed.