Radiogenic heating of planets (IMAGE)

University of California - Santa Cruz

Radiogenic heating of planets

Caption

These illustrations show three versions of a rocky planet with different amounts of internal heating from radioactive elements. The middle planet is Earth-like, with plate tectonics and an internal dynamo generating a magnetic field. The top planet, with more radiogenic heating, has extreme volcanism but no dynamo or magnetic field. The bottom planet, with less radiogenic heating, is geologically 'dead,' with no volcanism.

Credit

Illustrations by Melissa Weiss

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