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Kelvin on the Origin of the Earth

Abstract

A GEOPHYSICAL discussion on the origin of the Earth reported in Nature some time ago1 included an account of his so-called ‘pore theory’ by Mr. T. Gold. He suggested that an Earth which formed by the agglomeration of solid dust particles would, due to the heating effects of compression and radioactivity, contain a certain fraction of liquid mixed with the solid. A structure of pores or veins of liquid might be set up, and the percolation downwards and upwards of dense and light liquids could account for the formation of the Earth's core and of its atmosphere and oceans, respectively, while various hydraulic actions could explain earthquakes, vulcanism and structural features such as great upheavals.

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References

  1. Nature, 175, 575 (1955).

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  2. Trans. Roy. Soc. Edin., 23, 169 (1864); “Mathematical and Physical Papers”, 3, 311.

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ALLAN, D. Kelvin on the Origin of the Earth. Nature 177, 801–802 (1956). https://doi.org/10.1038/177801a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/177801a0

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