Constraints on Earth's Core-Mantle boundary from nutation

TL;DR

This paper investigates how topographic features at Earth's core-mantle boundary cause internal waves that explain observed nutation phase lag, providing new constraints on boundary topography and stratification.

Contribution

It introduces a theoretical model linking CMB topography-induced internal waves to nutation damping, offering a novel explanation beyond electromagnetic coupling effects.

Findings

CMB topography amplitude estimated at a few kilometers

Weak stratification at the top of the core is favored

Model aligns with observed nutation phase lag

Abstract

Periodic variations in the Sun and Moon's gravitational pull cause small changes in Earth's rotational axis direction called nutation. Nutation components in the retrograde quasi-diurnal frequency band measured in the terrestrial reference frame are amplified by resonance with the Free Core Nutation (FCN), a rotational mode of Earth's fluid core. Dissipative processes at the core-mantle boundary (CMB) dampen this resonance, contributing to the observed phase lag between tidal forcing and Earth's rotational response. This phase lag is commonly attributed to electromagnetic (EM) coupling between the core and the electrically conducting lower mantle. However, estimates of mantle conductivity and radial magnetic field strength at the CMB suggest these effects are insufficient. We show that the missing dissipation arises naturally from the excitation of internal waves in the fluid core by topographic features at the CMB. Adapting a theoretical framework originally developed for tidal flow over oceanic topography, we compute the form drag and associated power flux induced by CMB topography. Our results are consistent with a CMB topography characterized by a root mean square amplitude of a few kilometers. The model favors weak stratification at the top of the core, though stronger stratification remains compatible with increased topographic amplitude. This mechanism provides independent constraints on CMB topography and stratification, complementing seismological and magnetic observations. Its generality offers a new framework for probing deep-interior dynamics across terrestrial planets.