arXiv subjects

J. Marvin Herndon

Publications and source records attributed to J. Marvin Herndon.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2013

Terracentric Nuclear Fission Reactor: Background, Basis, Feasibility, Structure, Evidence, and Geophysical Implications

The background, basis, feasibility, structure, evidence, and geophysical implications of a naturally occurring Terracentric nuclear fission georeactor are reviewed. For a nuclear fission reactor to exist at the center of the Earth, all of the following conditions must be met: (1) There must originally have been a substantial quantity of uranium within Earth's core; (2) There must be a natural mechanism for concentrating the uranium; (3) The isotopic composition of the uranium at the onset of fission must be appropriate to sustain a nuclear fission chain reaction; (4) The reactor must be able to breed a sufficient quantity of fissile nuclides to permit operation over the lifetime of Earth to the present; (5) There must be a natural mechanism for the removal of fission products; (6) There must be a natural mechanism for removing heat from the reactor; (7) There must be a natural mechanism to regulate reactor power level, and; (8) The location of the reactor or must be such as to provide containment and prevent meltdown. Herndon's georeactor alone is shown to meet those conditions. Georeactor existence evidence based upon helium measurements and upon antineutrino measurements is described. Geophysical implications discussed include georeactor origin of the geomagnetic field, geomagnetic reversals from intense solar outbursts and severe Earth trauma, as well as georeactor heat contributions to global dynamics.

physics.gen-ph↗

arXiv2013

A New Basis of Geoscience: Whole-Earth Decompression Dynamics

Neither plate tectonics nor Earth expansion theory is sufficient to provide a basis for understanding geoscience. Each theory is incomplete and possesses problematic elements, but both have served as stepping stones to a more fundamental and inclusive geoscience theory that I call Whole-Earth Decompression Dynamics (WEDD). WEDD begins with and is the consequence of our planet's early formation as a Jupiter-like gas giant and permits deduction of:(1) Earth's internal composition, structure, and highly-reduced oxidation state; (2) Core formation without whole-planet melting; (3) Powerful new internal energy sources - proto-planetary energy of compression and georeactor nuclear fission energy; (4) Georeactor geomagnetic field generation; (5) Mechanism for heat emplacement at the base of the crust resulting in the crustal geothermal gradient; (6) Decompression driven geodynamics that accounts for the myriad of observations attributed to plate tectonics without requiring physically-impossible mantle convection, and; (7) A mechanism for fold-mountain formation that does not necessarily require plate collision. The latter obviates the necessity to assume supercontinent cycles. Here, I review the principles of Whole-Earth Decompression Dynamics and describe a new underlying basis for geoscience and geology.

physics.gen-ph↗

arXiv2013

New Indivisible Planetary Science Paradigm

I present here a new, indivisible planetary science paradigm, a wholly self-consistent vision of the nature of matter in the Solar System, and dynamics and energy sources of planets. Massive-core planets formed by condensing and raining-out from within giant gaseous protoplanets at high pressures and high temperatures. Earth's complete condensation included a 300 Earth-mass gigantic gas/ice shell that compressed the rocky kernel to about 66% of Earth's present diameter. T-Tauri eruptions stripped the gases away from the inner planets and stripped a portion of Mercury's incompletely condensed protoplanet, and transported it to the region between Mars and Jupiter where it fused with in-falling oxidized condensate from the outer regions of the Solar System and formed the parent matter of ordinary chondrite meteorites, the main-Belt asteroids, and veneer for the inner planets, especially Mars. In response to decompression-driven planetary volume increases, cracks form to increase surface area and mountain ranges characterized by folding form to accommodate changes in curvature. The differences between the inner planets are primarily the consequence of different degrees of protoplanetary compression. The internal composition of Mercury is calculated by analogy with the Earth. The rationale is provided for Mars potentially having a greater subsurface water reservoir capacity than before realized.

physics.gen-ph↗

arXiv2013

Fictitious Supercontinent Cycles

Descriptions of phenomena, events, or processes made on the basis of problematic paradigms can be unreasonably complex (e.g. epicycles) or simply wrong (e.g. ultraviolet catastrophe). Supercontinent cycles, also called Wilson cycles, are, I submit, artificial constructs, like epicycles. Here I provide the basis for that assertion and describe published considerations from a fundamentally different, new, indivisible geoscience paradigm which obviate the necessity for assuming supercontinent cycles.

physics.gen-ph↗

arXiv2012

Hydrogen Geysers: Explanation for Observed Evidence of Geologically Recent Volatile-Related Activity on Mercury's Surface

High resolution images of Mercury's surface, from the MESSENGER spacecraft, reveal many bright deposits associated with irregular, shallow, rimless depressions whose origins were attributed to volatile-related activity, but absent information on the nature and origin of that volatile matter. Here I describe planetary formation, unlike the cited models, and show that primordial condensation from an atmosphere of solar composition at pressures of one atmosphere or above will lead to iron condensing as a liquid and dissolving copious amounts of hydrogen, which is subsequently released as Mercury's core solidifies and escapes from the surface, yielding the observed pit-like features with associated highly-reflecting matter. The exiting hydrogen chemically reduces some iron compound, probably iron sulfide, to the metal, which accounts for the bright deposits.

physics.gen-ph↗

arXiv2011

New Indivisible Geoscience Paradigm

Earth's interior, I posit, is like one of the rare, oxygen-starved "enstatite chondrite" meteorites (and unlike a more-oxidized "ordinary chondrite" as has been believed for seventy years). Laboratory-analyzed enstatite-chondrite samples are comparable to having-in-hand impossibleto- gather deep-Earth samples. Enstatite-chondrite formation in oxygen-starved conditions caused oxygen-loving elements to occur, in part, as non-oxides in their iron-alloy. Observations, consistent with solar abundance and behavior of chemical elements, lead me to a new interpretation of: (1) Earth's early formation as a Jupiter-like gas-giant, (2) its decompressionpowered surface geology, (3) Earth's internal composition, and (4) a natural, planetocentric nuclear-fission reactor as source of both the geomagnetic field and energy channeled to surface "hot-spots". I present a unified vision of Earth formation and concomitant dynamics that explains in a logical and causally related way: (1) fluid Earth-core formation without wholeplanet melting, and (2) the myriad measurements and observations, previously attributed to "plate tectonics", but without necessitating mantle convection.

physics.gen-ph↗

arXiv2011

Potentially Significant Source of Error in Magnetic Paleolatitude Determinations

The discovery of close-to-star gas-giant exo-planets lends support to the idea of Earth's origin as a Jupiter-like gas giant and to the consequences of its compression, including whole-Earth decompression dynamics that gives rise, without requiring mantle convection, to the myriad measurements and observations whose descriptions are attributed to plate tectonics. I show here that paleolatitude determinations, used extensively in Pangaea-like reconstructions and in paleoclimate considerations, may be subject to potentially significant errors if rock-magnetization was acquired at Earth-radii less than present.

physics.gen-ph↗

arXiv2011

Primary Initiation of Submarine Canyons

The discovery of close-to-star gas-giant exo-planets lends support to the idea of Earth's origin as a Jupiter-like gas-giant and to the consequences of its compression, including whole-Earth decompression dynamics that gives rise, without requiring mantle convection, to the myriad measurements and observations whose descriptions are attributed to plate tectonics. I propose here another, unanticipated consequence of whole-Earth decompression dynamics: namely, a specific, dominant, non-erosion, underlying initiation-mechanism precursor for submarine canyons that follows as a direct consequence of Earth's early origin as a Jupiter-like gas-giant.

physics.gen-ph↗

arXiv2011

Chemical basis of deep-Earth physics: Emphasis on the core-mantle boundary D''

Currently popular ideas about the Earth's interior have developed almost entirely on the basis of physics. In the spirit of the United Nations' designation of 2011 as the International Year of Chemistry, I unify chemical and physical inferences for Earth-matter below the depth of 660 km. I relate by fundamental mass ratio relationships the internal parts of that region with corresponding enstatite chondrite parts, providing a quantitative basis for understanding the "seismically rough" matter at the core mantle boundary, D'', as arising from Earth-core precipitates, the "core-floaters", CaS and MgS. I suggest that the ultra-low velocity zone consists of CaS.

physics.geo-ph↗

arXiv2011

Heat transport within the Earth

Numerous attempts have been made to interpret Earth's dynamic processes based upon heat transport concepts derived from ordinary experience. But, ordinary experience can be misleading, especially when underlain by false assumptions. Geodynamic considerations traditionally have embraced three modes of heat transport: conduction, convection, and radiation. Recently, I introduced a fourth, "mantle decompression thermal tsunami" that, I submit, is responsible for emplacing heat at the base of the Earth's crust. Here, I review thermal transport within the Earth and speculate that there might be a fifth mode: "heat channeling", involving heat transport from the core to "hot-spots" such as those that power the Hawaiian Islands and Iceland.

physics.geo-ph↗

arXiv2010

Archimedean Proof of the Physical Impossibility of Earth Mantle Convection

Eight decades ago, Arthur Holmes introducted the idea of mantle convection as a mechanism for continental drift. Five decades ago, continental drift was modified to become plate tectonics theory, which included mantle convection as an absolutely critical component. Using the submarine design and operation concept of "neutral buoyancy", which follows from Archimedes' discoveries, the concept of mantle convection is proven to be incorrect, concomitantly refuting plate tectonics, refuting all mantle convection models, and refuting all models that depend upon mantle convection.

physics.gen-ph↗

arXiv2010

Impact of Recent Discoveries on Petroleum and Natural Gas Exploration: Emphasis on India

Two discoveries have greatly impacted understanding relevant to the origination and emplacement of petroleum and natural gas deposits. One discovery, pertaining to hydrocarbon formation from methane broadens significantly potential regions where abiotic petroleum and natural gas deposits might be found. The other, discovery of the physical impossibility of Earth-mantle convection, restricts the range and domain of geodynamic behavior, and leads to new insights on the formation of petroleum and natural gas deposits. This article highlights the impact and implications of those discoveries, especially as they relate to petroleum and natural gas exploration in India and throughout the world. From the reasoning developed here, the generality of the considerations involved, the understanding developed with respect to the East African Rift System, and the experience garnered from the larger and older Siberian Traps, the prognosis and potential for the region beneath the Deccan Traps of India to eventually become a major source of petroleum and natural gas seems quite favorable.

physics.gen-ph↗

arXiv2009

Uniqueness of Herndon's Georeactor: Energy Source and Production Mechanism for Earth's Magnetic Field

Herndon's georeactor at the center of Earth is immune to meltdown, which is not the case for recently published copy-cat georeactors, which would necessarily be subject to hot nuclear fuel, prevailing high temperature environments, and high confining pressures. Herndon's georeactor uniquely is expected to be self-regulating through establishing a balance between heat production and actinide settling out. The seventy year old idea of convection in the Earth's fluid core is refuted because thermal expansion cannot overcome the 23 percent higher density at the core's bottom than at its top. The dimensionless Rayleigh Number is an inappropriate indicator of convection in the Earth's core and mantle as a consequence of the assumptions under which it was derived. Implications bearing on the origin of the geomagnetic field, the physical impossibility of mantle convection, and the concomitant refutation of plate tectonics theory are briefly described.

physics.gen-ph↗

arXiv2009

Nature of Planetary Matter and Magnetic Field Generation in the Solar System

Understanding the nature of the matter comprising the Solar System is crucial for understanding the mechanism that generates the Earth's geomagnetic field and the magnetic fields of other planets and satellites. The commonality in the Solar System of matter like that of the inside of the Earth, together with common nuclear reactor operating conditions,forms the basis for generalizing the author's concept of nuclear geomagnetic field generation to planetary magnetic field generation by natural planetocentric nuclear fission reactors.

physics.gen-ph↗

arXiv2007

Magnetic Field Generation in Planets and Satellites by Natural Nuclear Fission Reactors

One of the most fundamental problems in physics has been to understand the nature of the mechanism that generates the geomagnetic field and the magnetic fields of other planets and satellites. For decades, the dynamo mechanism, thought to be responsible for generating the geomagnetic field and other planetary magnetic fields, has been ascribed to convection in each planet's iron-alloy core. Recently, I described the problems inherent in Earth-core convection and proposed instead that the geomagnetic field is produced by a dynamo mechanism involving convection, not in the fluid core, but in the electrically conductive, fluid, fission-product sub-shell of a natural nuclear fission reactor at the center of the Earth, called the georeactor. Here I set forth in detail the commonality in the Solar System of the matter like that of the inside of the Earth, which is my basis for generalizing the concept of planetary magnetic field generation by natural planetocentric nuclear fission reactors.

physics.geo-ph↗

arXiv2007

Nuclear Georeactor Generation of Earth's Geomagnetic Field

The purpose of this communication is to suggest that the mechanism for generating the geomagnetic field and the energy source for powering it are one and the same, a nuclear georeactor at the center of the Earth. Toward this end, I: i) Present evidence that the nuclear georeactor fission-product sub-shell is fluid; ii)Suggest that the geomagnetic field is generated within the georeactor sub-shell, rather than within Earth's iron-alloy fluid core; iii) Describe why convection appears more feasible within the georeactor sub-shell than within the iron-alloy core; iv) Disclose additional relative physical advantages for georeactor sub-shell dynamo operation; and, v) Outline briefly the research that should be conducted to advance the state of knowledge of georeactor-geomagnetic field generation. The concept of geomagnetic field production by the nuclear georeactor is presented specifically for the Earth. The concepts and principles, however, are generally applicable to planetary magnetic field production.

physics.geo-ph↗

arXiv2007

Science Citation Index data: Two additional reasons against its use for administrative purposes

First, for decades the use of anonymity in reviews for science funding proposals and for evaluating manuscripts for publication has been gradually corrupting American science, encouraging and rewarding the dark elements of human nature. Unethical reviewers, secure and unaccountable through anonymity, all too often make untrue and/or pejorative statements to eliminate their professional competitors. Survival in this corrupt environment has led to a consensus-only mentality. Consequently, important scientific contradictions, if they can be published at all, are selectively ignored in many instances out of fear of anonymous retaliation. Science Citation Index data in such a corrupt environment may be of little administrative value, except for possible use in documenting scientific fraud. Second, as knowledge of the administrative use of Science Citation Index data spreads, scientists will adapt and will shift to research on popular subjects to elicit greater numbers of citations, rather than to take the paths less trodden where important scientific discoveries may lay waiting.

physics.gen-ph↗

arXiv2007

Solar System Processes Underlying Planetary Formation, Geodynamics, and the Georeactor

Only three processes, operant during the formation of the Solar System, are responsible for the diversity of matter in the Solar System and are directly responsible for planetary internal-structures, including planetocentric nuclear fission reactors, and for dynamical processes, including and especially, geodynamics. These processes are: (i) Low-pressure, low-temperature condensation from solar matter in the remote reaches of the Solar System or in the interstellar medium; (ii) High-pressure, high-temperature condensation from solar matter associated with planetary-formation by raining out from the interiors of giant-gaseous protoplanets, and; (iii) Stripping of the primordial volatile components from the inner portion of the Solar System by super-intense solar wind associated with T-Tauri phase mass-ejections, presumably during the thermonuclear ignition of the Sun. As described herein, these processes lead logically, in a causally related manner, to a coherent vision of planetary formation with profound implications including, but not limited to, (a) Earth formation as a giant gaseous Jupiter-like planet with vast amounts of stored energy of protoplanetary compression in its rock-plus-alloy kernel; (b) Removal of approximately 300 Earth-masses of primordial gases from the Earth, which began Earth's decompression process, making available the stored energy of protoplanetary compression for driving geodynamic processes, which I have described by the new whole-Earth decompression dynamics and which is responsible for emplacing heat at the mantle-crust-interface at the base of the crust through the process I have described, called mantle decompression thermal-tsunami; and, (c)Uranium accumulations at the planetary centers capable of self-sustained nuclear fission chain reactions.

astro-ph↗