Research on core and mantle dynamics based on the electrical conductivity of materials of the Earth and planetary interior

Abstract

I have researched on electrical conductivity of materials forming crust, mantle and core for understanding the dynamics and evolution in the Earth and planetary interiors. First, I would like to introduce the progress of my research until I started measuring electrical conductivity, even though I was originally a field geologist. Next, after giving an overview of the electrical conductivity of solid Earth and planetary materials, I will summarize the typical topics where my research based on electrical conductivity measurements under high pressure has brought new knowledge to Earth and planetary science: core formation in planetesimals triggered by permeable flow, origin of oceanic asthenosphere, estimation of water content in mantle transition zone, origin of conductivity anomaly in the crust and estimation of heat flux of the metallic core. Finally, I will discuss future challenges regarding the evolution of the Earth and planetary interiors based on thermoelectric measurements.