Mars' paleomagnetic field as the result of a single-hemisphere dynamo

Sabine Stanley, Linda Elkins-Tanton, Maria T. Zuber, E. Marc Parmentier

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

97 Scopus citations

Abstract

Mars' crustal magnetic field was most likely generated by dynamo action in the planet's early history. Unexplained characteristics of the field include its strength, concentration in the southern hemisphere, and lack of correlation with any surface features except for the hemispheric crustal dichotomy. We used numerical dynamo modeling to demonstrate that the mechanisms proposed to explain crustal dichotomy formation can result in a single-hemisphere dynamo. This dynamo produces strong magnetic fields in only the southern hemisphere. This magnetic field morphology can explain why Mars' crustal magnetic field intensities are substantially stronger in the southern hemisphere without relying on any postdynamo mechanisms.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1822-1825
Number of pages4
JournalScience
Volume321
Issue number5897
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 26 2008
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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