On the application of the pontryagin''s maximum principle for identification of the radiogenic heat distribution in the Earth''s interior

Pontryagin's maximum principle is used for the mathematical modeling of the radiogenic heat production in the Earth's interior. Following the usual procedure we find that the optimal model is described by an exponential function. The logarithmic decrement of this exponential function is related with the slope of observed linear surface heat flow and heat generation curve and further the nature of this relationship depends upon the interpretations of the reduced heat flow.