Electrical resistivity of the Fe-Si-S ternary system: implications for timing of thermal convection shutdown in the lunar core

The composition of the lunar core has been suggested to be Fe-rich with varying amounts of lighter elements, such as Si and S. Presence of Si and S affects electrical and thermal transport properties and thus influences core thermal processes and evolution. Paleomagnetic observations constrain a high intensity magnetic field that ceases shortly after formation of the moon (similar to 3.5-4.2 Ga year ago), and thermal convection in the core may contribute to generation of this field. In this study, the electrical resistivity of Fe-14 wt% Si-3 wt% S was measured in both solid and molten states at pressures up to 5 GPa and thermal conductivity was calculated via the Wiedemann-Franz Law from the electrical measurements. The results were used to estimate the adiabatic conductive heat flux of a molten Fe-14 wt% Si-3 wt% S lunar core and compared to a Fe-2-17 wt% Si lunar core, which showed that thermal convection of either core composition shuts down within the duration of the high intensity magnetic field: (1) 3.17-3.72 Ga year ago for a Fe-14 wt% Si-3 wt% S core; and (ii) 3.38-3.86 Ga years ago for a Fe-2-17 wt% Si core. Results favouring compatibility of these core compositions with paleomagnetic observations are strongly dependent on the temperature of the core-mantle boundary and time-dependent mantle-side heat flux.

Automated summary

This study measured the electrical resistivity and thermal conductivity of Fe-14 wt% Si-3 wt% S to estimate the adiabatic conductive heat flux of a molten lunar core. The results showed that thermal convection of the core ceases within a certain time period after the formation of a high intensity magnetic field, regardless of the core composition.