Re: Radon Web Site - heat

["Zack Clayton" <zack.clayton@EPA.STATE.OH.US>]

Phil,



Yes life on Earth probably does depend on a hot core, and current theory is that the energy is supplied by radioactive DECAY.  



The molten core allows the dynamo mechanism to create the Earth's magnetic field that

Shields us biologically from a lot of particle bombardment from the solar wind,  and

Shields the atmosphere from solar wind erosion.

A molten core allows plate tectonic subduction and extrusion that recycles carbon and oxygen so everything doesn't lock up in sediments.  



Pressure by itself doesn't create heat, contraction under pressure creates heat.  The Earth gets warmer as you go deeper under the surface due to the insulating properties of thickness.  Without the decay heat the Earth would have frozen up long ago like Mars, with loss of magnetic shielding and a permanent case of rust.







Zack Clayton

Ohio EPA - DERR

email:  zack.clayton@epa.state.oh.us

voice:  614-644-3066

fax:       614-460-8249





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