Three-Dimensional Rotational Dynamics and Coupling of the Core-Mantle System

Principal investigator: Dr J Mound

Sponsor: NERC

Value: £306,738

Dates: March 2010 - March 2013

Summary

Variations in planetary rotation occur due to interaction between the Earth’s core and mantle.  This core-mantle coupling depends on physical properties of the deep interior (such as the intensity and geometry of the magnetic field with the core, and the viscosity of the fluid core) that are not accessible by other observational techniques.  However, there is a disconnect within the study of Earth rotation between models of changes in the rate of rotation, and models of changes in the orientation of the rotation axis.  This project endeavours to develop a unified model of the three-dimensional rotational dynamics of the planet and thus to provide new constraints on the physical properties and short-term (years to decades) dynamics of the deep Earth.