The following is a descriptive list of the major scientific discoveries and insights of J. Marvin Herndon with links to download relevant papers and links to WebPages that give more detailed descriptions. For additional information see Home Page NuclearPlanet.com.

On the basis of data discovered in the 1960’s, J. Marvin Herndon deduced the composition of the inner core as being fully-crystallized nickel silicide, not partially-crystallized nickel-iron metal as proposed by Francis Birch in 1940. This means that Earth’s deep interior is like an enstatite chondrite meteorite, rather than an ordinary chondrite meteorite as presumed by Birch. One principal implication is that the Earth’s core contains radioactive elements, including uranium, which would otherwise not have been expected [Herndon, J. M. (1979) The nickel silicide inner core of the Earth. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, A368, 495-500 (click here for pdf)].

By fundamental ratios of mass, J. Marvin Herndon showed that the core and lower mantle of the Earth are chemically analogous to the two main components of the Abee enstatite chondrite. This provides evidence that the deep interior of the Earth is indeed like an enstatite chondrite meteorite and it means that one can estimate the abundances of the elements in the Earth’s core and lower mantle from measured abundances in corresponding parts of the Abee meteorite [Herndon, J. M. (1980) The chemical composition of the interior shells of the Earth. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, A372, 149-154 (click here for pdf); Herndon, J. M. (2005) Scientific basis of knowledge on Earth's composition. Current Science, 88, 1034-1037 (click here for pdf); Herndon, J. M. (2011) Geodynamic basis of heat transport in the Earth. Current Science, 101, 1440-1450. (click here for pdf)].

With an understanding that the Earth’s core contains uranium, J. Marvin Herndon applied Fermi’s nuclear reactor theory to demonstrate the feasibility of a natural nuclear fission reactor at the center of the Earth, called the georeactor. Unlike other major, natural, Earth energy sources, which might change only gradually, the georeactor is capable of variable energy output including stopping (because of fission product accumulation) and re-starting again (as the light fission products migrate radially outward and uranium settles downward). Variable deep-Earth energy production may have important, not yet appreciated, implications on geomagnetic field variability and on planetary change [Herndon, J. M. (1993) Feasibility of a nuclear fission reactor at the center of the Earth as the energy source for the geomagnetic field. Journal of Geomagnetism and Geoelectricity, 45, 423-437 (click here for pdf); Herndon, J. M. (1994) Planetary and protostellar nuclear fission: Implications for planetary change, stellar ignition and dark matter. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, A455, 453-461 (click here for pdf)].

Daniel F. Hollenbach and J. Marvin Herndon demonstrated, from numerical simulations made at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, that a deep-Earth nuclear fission reactor will produce both light-helium, He-3, and heavy-helium, He-4, precisely within the range of values observed from deep-source lavas. The helium found in oceanic lavas, first observed over three decades ago, is evidence that a planetary-scale, natural nuclear fission reactor operates at the center of the Earth [Hollenbach, D. F. and Herndon, J. M. (2001) Deep-earth reactor: nuclear fission, helium, and the geomagnetic field. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA, 98, 11085-11090 (click here for pdf); Herndon, J. M. (2003) Nuclear georeactor origin of oceanic basalt 3He/4He, evidence, and implications. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA, 100, 3047-3050 (click here for pdf)].

J. Marvin Herndon demonstrated, from numerical simulations made at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, that a deep-Earth nuclear fission reactor, the georeactor, will produce sufficient helium with precisely the range of ratios as observed from deep-source oceanic basalt lavas. Moreover, the ratio of He-3 to He-4 increases over the lifetime of the georeactor. The high ratios observed in Icelandic and Hawaiian basalts suggest that the end of the georeactor lifetime is approaching, perhaps within the next billion years, perhaps much sooner; the time-frame is not yet known. Presumably, soon thereafter the geomagnetic field will begin its final collapse [Herndon, J. M. (2003) Nuclear georeactor origin of oceanic basalt 3He/4He, evidence, and implications. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA, 100, 3047-3050 (click here for pdf)].

J. Marvin Herndon set forth a fundamentally new concept related to the generation of Earth's geomagnetic field. Previously, he had considered the nuclear reactor at the center of the Earth, the georeactor, only as the energy source for the dynamo mechanism which generates the geomagnetic field that is thought to arise from convective motions of an electrically conducting fluid in a rotating body. Since 1939, the operant fluid has been thought to be the Earth’s fluid iron-alloy core. He suggested instead that the operant fluid may be contained within the georeactor as the fluid fission product and radioactive decay product sub-shell surrounding the actinide sub-core. He thus extended the georeactor concept by suggesting that the georeactor is both the energy source and the dynamo mechanism for generating the geomagnetic field. He pointed out the reasons why long-term, sustained convection appears more feasible within the georeactor sub-shell than within the Earth's fluid core [Herndon, J. M. (2007) Nuclear georeactor generation of the earth's geomagnetic field. Current Science, 93, 1485-1457 (click here for pdf)].

From observations of matter, J. Marvin Herndon deduced the basis and reasons for understanding planetary formation in the Solar System mainly as the consequence of "raining out" from within giant gaseous protoplanets, leading to initial Earth formation as a gas giant Jupiter-like planet, a concept consistent with observations of close-to-star gas giant exoplanets in other planetary systems [Herndon, J. M. (2006) Solar System processes underlying planetary formation, geodynamics, and the georeactor. Earth, Moon and Planets, 99, 53-99 (click here for pdf)].

J. Marvin Herndon set forth the principles of Whole-Earth Decompression Dynamics which unifies elements of plate tectonics theory and Earth expansion theory into a uniquely new self-consistent vision of global geodynamics, obviating the assumption of mantle convection [Herndon, J. M. (2005) Whole-Earth decompression dynamics. Current Science, 89, 1937-1941 (click here for pdf); Herndon, J. M. (2004) Protoplanetary Earth formation: further evidence and geophysical implications. arXiv:astro-ph/0408539 (click here for pdf)]. Herndon described, as one of the consequences of Whole-Earth Decompression Dynamics, an unrecognized, different energy source for driving geodynamics, the stored energy of protoplanetary compression augmented by georeactor nuclear fission energy, and proposed a new mechanism for transporting heat within the Earth, called Mantle Decompression Thermal-Tsunami, which emplaces heat and pressure at the base of the crust, producing volcanoes and causing earthquakes [Herndon, J. M. (2006) Energy for geodynamics: Mantle decompression thermal-tsunami. Current Science, 90, 1605-1606 (click here for pdf)].

J. Marvin Herndon predicted low-density, high-temperature Earth core precipitates [CaS and MgS] floating atop the fluid core at the core-mantle boundary. These are an expected consequence of the enstatite-chondrite-alloy-like core, originally containing some calcium and some magnesium dissolved in the iron alloy and are responsible for the seismic "roughness" observed there [Herndon, J. M. (1993) Feasibility of a nuclear fission reactor at the center of the Earth as the energy source for the geomagnetic field. Journal of Geomagnetism and Geoelectricity, 45, 423-437 (click here for pdf); Herndon, J. M. (1996) Sub-structure of the inner core of the earth. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA, 93, 646-648 (click here for pdf); Herndon, J. M. (2005) Scientific basis of knowledge on Earth's composition. Current Science, 88, 1034-1037 (click here for pdf); Herndon, J. M. (2011) Geodynamic basis of heat transport in the Earth. Current Science, 101, 1440-1450. (click here for pdf)].

Since the 1931 convection has been assumed to occur in the Earth's mantle. J. Marvin Herndon has discovered that, because of compression, the matter the base of the mantle is too dense to float to the top as a result of thermal expansion. The mantle is not devoid of viscous losses, as evidenced by earthquakes to depths of 660 km. Convection is physically impossible under those circumstances. Herndon also discovered that the Rayleigh Number, often used to justify convection, is inappropriate for the mantle, as the Rayleigh Number was derived for an incompressible fluid, a fluid of constant density. [Herndon, J. M. (2009) Uniqueness of Herndon's georeactor: Energy source and production mechanism for Earth's magnetic field. arXiv:0903.4622 (click here for pdf); Herndon, J. M. (2011) Geodynamic basis of heat transport in the Earth. Current Science, 101, 1440-1450. (click here for pdf)]. 

J. Marvin Herndon pointed out that the prognosis for vast natural resources from abiotic natural gas and petroleum resources, which depends critically on the nature and circumstances of Earth formation, has for decades been considered solely within the framework of the now-discredited, 'standard model of solar system formation'. Within the context of recent advances related to the formation of Earth, initially as a Jupiter-like gas giant, that prognosis is greatly enhanced for several reasons [Herndon, J. M. (2006) Enhanced prognosis for abiotic natural gas and petroleum resources. Current Science, 91, 596-598 (click here for pdf)].

The geology of planet Earth according to Herndon's Whole-Earth Decompression Dynamics (WEDD) is primarily the consequence of two processes: (1) The progressive formation of surface cracks to increase surface area in response to decompression-increased planetary volume, and; (2) The progressive adjustment of surface curvature in response to decompression-increased planetary volume. Crustal fragmentation, called rifting, provides all of the crucial components for petroleum-deposit formation: basin, reservoir, source, and seal. Rifting causes the formation of deep basins, as presently occurring in the Afar triangle of Northeastern Africa. Augmented by georeactor heat channeled upwards from deep within the Earth, uplift from sub-surface swelling can sequester sea-flooded lands to form halite evaporite deposits, can lead to dome formation, and can make elevated land susceptible to erosion processes, thus providing sedimentary material for reservoir rock in-filling of basins. Moreover, crustal fragmentation potentially exposes deep basins to sources of abiotic mantle methane and, although still controversial, methane-derived hydrocarbons..[Herndon, J. M. (2010) Impact of recent discoveries on petroleum and natural gas exploration: emphasis on India. Current Science, 98, 772-779 (click here for pdf); Herndon, J. M. (2016) New concept on the origin of petroleum and natural gas deposits. Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology, 6(20), 1-12 (click here for pdf)].

J. Marvin Herndon presents a new, indivisible planetary science paradigm, a wholly self-consistent vision of the nature of matter in the Solar System, and dynamics and energy sources of planets which differs profoundly from the half-century old, popular, but problematic paradigm. This is a new foundation from which much development is possible. The differences between the inner planets are primarily the consequence of different degrees of protoplanetary compression. The internal composition of Mercury is calculated by analogy with Earth. The rationale is provided for Mars potentially having a greater subsurface water reservoir capacity than before realized. [Herndon, J. M. (2013) New indivisible planetary science paradigm. Current Science, 2013, 105(4), 450-460. (click here for pdf)]

Currently active internally generated magnetic fields have been detected in six planets (Mercury, Earth, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune) and in one satellite, Jupiter’s moon Ganymede. Magnetized surface areas of Mars and the Moon indicate the former existence of internally generated magnetic fields in those bodies. Based upon the commonality of matter in the Solar System and common operating environments, J. Marvin Herndon suggested that planetary and satellite magnetic fields arise from the same georeactor-type assemblage which he suggested powers and provides the operant fluid for generating by dynamo action the Earth’s magnetic field [Herndon, J. M. (2009) Nature of Planetary Matter and Magnetic Field Generation in the Solar System. Current Science, 96, 1033-1039. (click here for pdf)].

J. Marvin Herndon showed that only three processes, operant during the formation of the Solar System, are responsible for the diversity of matter in the Solar System and are directly responsible for planetary internal-structures, including planetocentric nuclear fission reactors, and for dynamical processes, including and especially, geodynamics [Herndon, J. M. (2006) Solar System processes underlying planetary formation, geodynamics, and the georeactor. Earth, Moon and Planets, 99, 53-99 (click here for pdf)].

With knowledge of the ancient remains of the natural nuclear reactors discovered at Oklo in the Republic of Gabon in Africa in 1972, J. Marvin Herndon demonstrated the feasibility of planetocentric nuclear fission reactors as energy sources for the gas giant outer planets [Herndon, J. M. (1992) Nuclear fission reactors as energy sources for the giant outer planets. Naturwissenschaften 79, 7-14].

J. Marvin Herndon discovered a fundamental relationship using published whole-rock chondrite molar Mg/Fe and Si/Fe ratios. This relationship admits the possibility that ordinary chondrite meteorites are derived from two components: one is a relatively undifferentiated, primitive component, oxidized like the CI or C1 carbonaceous chondrites; the other is a somewhat differentiated, planetary component, with oxidation state like the highly reduced enstatite chondrites. Such a picture would seem to explain for the ordinary chondrites, their major element compositions, their intermediate states of oxidation, and their ubiquitous deficiencies of refractory siderophile elements. Herndon suggested that the planetary component of ordinary chondrite formation consists of planet Mercury’s missing complement of elements [Herndon, J. M. (2004) Ordinary chondrite formation from two components: Implied connection to planet Mercury. arXiv:astro-ph/0405298 (click here for pdf); Herndon, J. M. (2004) Mercury's protoplanetary mass. arXiv:astro-ph/0410009 (click here for pdf) ; Herndon, J. M. (2004) Total mass of ordinary chondrite material originally present in the Solar System. arXiv:astro-ph/0410242 (click here for pdf); Herndon, J. M. (2007) Discovery of fundamental mass ratio relationships of whole-rock chondritic major elements: Implications on ordinary chondrite formation and on planet Mercury's composition. Current Science, 93, 394-399 (click here for pdf)].

Thermonuclear fusion reactions, thought to power the Sun and other stars, require temperatures on the order of one million degrees Celsius for ignition. Since the mid-1930s the assumption has been that such temperatures were obtained during the in-fall of dust and gas during star formation, but there are problems. In 1994, J. Marvin Herndon suggested that stellar fusion reactions may, in fact, be ignited by a central fission reactor in the same manner that a fusion bomb is triggered by a fission bomb. Rather than stars automatically igniting during formation, non-ignition may occur in absence of actinide elements, leading to the possibility of dark stars, dark matter, particularly surrounding luminous galaxies [Herndon, J. M. (1994) Planetary and protostellar nuclear fission: Implications for planetary change, stellar ignition and dark matter. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, A455, 453-461 (click here for pdf)].

J. Marvin Herndon has suggested that the diverse luminous galaxy structures can be understood in a logical and causally related manner if heavy element synthesis is related to galactic jets which jet heavy nuclear matter from the galactic core into the galaxy of dark stars where it seeds the dark stars it encounters with fissionable elements turning dark stars into luminous stars [Herndon, J. M. (2006) Thermonuclear ignition of dark galaxies. arXiv:astro-ph/0604307 (click here for pdf); Herndon, J. M. (2008) Maverick’s Earth and Universe, Vancouver:Trafford Press, ISBN: 978-1-4251-4132-5]; Herndon, J. M., (2009) New concept for internal heat production in hot Jupiter exo-planets, thermonuclear ignition of dark galaxies, and the basis for galactic luminous star distributions. Current Science, 96, 1453-1456 (click here for pdf)].

J. Marvin Herndon has suggested that hot Jupiter exoplanets, which have densities less than Jupiter, may derive much of their internal heat production from interfacial thermonuclear fusion ignited by nuclear fission [Herndon, J. M. (2006) New concept for internal heat production in hot Jupiter exoplanets. arXiv:astro-ph/0612603 (click here for pdf); Herndon, J. M. (2008) Maverick’s Earth and Universe, Vancouver:Trafford Press, ISBN: 978-1-4251-4132-5; Herndon, J. M., (2009) New concept for internal heat production in hot Jupiter exo-planets, thermonuclear ignition of dark galaxies, and the basis for galactic luminous star distributions. Current Science, 96, 1453-1456 (click here for pdf)].

J. Marvin Herndon has presented evidence against the astrophysical concept of planetary migration based upon evidence that Earth was at one time a close-to-Sun gas giant similar to Jupiter in mass and composition [Herndon, J. M. (2006) Evidence contrary to the existing exoplanet migration concept. arXiv:astro-ph/0612726 (click here for pdf)].