Under the assumption that identical nuclides, when brought very close to each other at the minimum possible distance for a relatively long time, can exchange nucleons with the preservation of their total number and the release of excess energy, it is shown that some of the nuclides formed in this case cannot enter into such reactions, i.e. they can be considered as spent fuel. An analysis of the isotopic composition of the earth's crust showed that more than 85% of thenuclides in the earth's crust are spent fuel. It is suggested that similar nuclear reactions with a gradual accumulation of spent fuel took place in the bowels of the Earth, which ultimately led to a decrease in their intensity, a decrease in temperature and the formation of a solidified crust. Arguments are given in favor of the fact that similar reactions continue in the bowels of the Earth at the present time. It is assumed that the appearance of heavy elements in the earth's crust, the presence of an additional heat source ensuring the thermal balance of the Earth, and the relatively young age of uranium U238 in the earth's crust may also be the result of similar reactions.
V. P. Torchigin (Mon,) studied this question.