DIFFUSION INDUCED NUCLEAR REACTIONS IN METALS: A POSSIBLE SOURCE OF HEAT IN THE CORE

It has recently been proposed that diffusion of light nuclei in metals can give rise to unusual electrical charge distributions in their lattice structures, inducing thereby certain nuclear reactions that are otherwise uncommon. In the light of these results we advance the hypothesis that such nuclear reactions take place in the metal rich core of the earth, based on following observations: 1- The solubility of hydrogen in netals is relatively high canpared to that in silicates. 2- Studies of rare gas samples in intraplate volcanos and diamonds show that 'He/He ratio increases with depth in the mantle. 3- There are indications that He is positively correlated with enrichment of metals in lavas.