Geodynamic basis of heat transport in the Earth

Dynamic processes of the Earth are based upon heat transport concepts derived from ordinary experience. But, ordinary experience can be misleading, especially when underlain by false assumptions. Geodynamic considerations traditionally have embraced three modes of heat transport: conduction, convection and radiation. Recently, I introduced a fourth, ‘mantle decompression thermal tsunami’ that, I submit, is responsible for emplacing heat at the base of the Earth’s crust. Here I review, from the standpoint of geodynamics, energy, heat and thermal transport within the Earth that are connected in a logical, causally related way, and speculate that there might be a fifth mode: ‘heat channelling’, involving heat transport from the core to ‘hotspots’ such as those that power the Hawaiian Islands and Iceland.