The Earth's magnetic field is generated by the geomagnetic dynamo, a process driven by convection currents in the liquid iron of the outer core. These currents arise from temperature and pressure differences, causing cool, dense metal to sink while warm, less dense metal rises. The Coriolis force, due to the Earth's rotation, creates swirling patterns that enhance this flow. This dynamic generates electric currents that produce magnetic fields, forming a self-sustaining loop crucial for the Earth's magnetism.
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Simon Bridge said:Yes and yes.
It's called the geomagnetic dynamo.
http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/deepearth/visualizations/geodynamo.html
@Neon, when you quote published material, as you have done above, you need to provide a citation, a reference to where you found the material. In some contexts you would be considered guilty of plagiarism.Neon said:Differences in temperature, pressure and composition within the outer core cause convection currents in the molten metal as cool, dense matter sinks whilst warm, less dense matter rises. The Coriolis force, resulting from the Earth’s spin, also causes swirling whirlpools.
This flow of liquid iron generates electric currents, which in turn produce magnetic fields. Charged metals passing through these fields go on to create electric currents of their own, and so the cycle continues. This self-sustaining loop is known as the geodynamo.