Numerical simulation of dynamos on massively parallel computers in cartesian domains

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The aim to develop an understanding of the mechanism which generates and maintains the Earth's magnetic field certainly ranges among the most challenging and fascinating problems in Geophysics. It is commonly believed that the magnetic field is maintained by a dynamo working in the Earth's Outer Core. In a complicated process convection currents in the electrically conducting material of the Outer Core transform kinetic into magnetic energy. While principally understood, the internal way of working of planetary dynamos is only roughly known. Laboratory experiments can not reach the relevant parameters and the scales of the problem. Due to it's nonlinear nature the dynamo problem defies a rigorous analytical approach. Numerical modelling allows today the investigation of dynamically selfconsistent dynamos but is certainly still in an intial phase. In the course of the here proposed research we want to apply and further develop a numerical model in order to better understand the dynamo process and to identify mechanisms which play a keyrole for the spatial-temporal evolution of the magnetic field. Our model approach is designed to run efficiently on parallel computers. This will enable us to study a wide range of parameters.