Advances in geodynamo modelling

• Published in: Geophysical and astrophysical fluid dynamics Vol. 113; no. 1-2; pp. 2 - 50
• Main Authors: Wicht, Johannes, Sanchez, Sabrina
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Taylor & Francis 04.03.2019; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Computer models; Computer simulation; Data assimilation; Data collection; Dynamo theory; Earth; Earth core; Evolution; Ferrous alloys; Geodynamo; Geomagnetic data; Geomagnetic field; Geomagnetism; Iron; Magnetic field; Magnetic fields; Mathematical models; numerical simulation; Numerical simulations; Oscillations; Scaling; Scaling laws; Thermal conductivity
• ISSN: 0309-1929; 1029-0419
• DOI: 10.1080/03091929.2019.1597074

This paper reviews the remarkable developments in numerical geodynamo simulations over the last few years. Simulations with Ekman numbers as low as are now within reach and more and more details of the observed field are recovered by computer models. However, some newer experimental and ab initio results suggest a rather large thermal conductivity for the liquid iron alloy in Earth's core. More heat would then simply be conducted down the core adiabat and would not be available for driving the dynamo process. The current status of this topic is reported and alternative driving scenarios are discussed. The paper then addresses the question whether dynamo simulations obey the magnetostrophic force balance that characterises the geodynamo and proceeds with discussing related problems like scaling laws and torsional oscillations. Finally, recent developments in geomagnetic data assimilation are reviewed, where geomagnetic data and dynamo simulations are coupled to form a tool for interpreting observations and predicting the future evolution of Earth's magnetic field.