III. The electrical conductivity of the Moon - The electrical conductivity of the Moon’s interior

Abstract

Analysis of the geomagnetic variations shows that in the Earth’s mantle at a depth of 700 km there is a rapid rise of electrical conductivity. Other considerations show that this rise flattens off in the lower mantle. The phenomenon is well explained by the semi-conduction of the silicate minerals. Experimental results on the electrical conductivity of olivine with tempera­ture and pressures up to those of the Moon’s centre will be described. Different models of the temperature distribution yield widely varying conductivity distributions.