Geo-neutrino review

The principal source of energy for dynamic processes of the earth, such as plate tectonics is thought to come from the radioactive decays of 238U, 232Th, and 40K within the earth. These decays produce electron-antineutrinos, so-called geo-neutrinos, the measurement of which near the earthʼs surface allows for a direct measure of the total radiogenic heat production in the earth. The KamLAND and Borexino experiments have both measured a geo-neutrino flux significantly greater than zero. As shown in these proceedings, more precise future measurements will significantly constrain earth composition models.