Recent research has revealed that the Earth’s inner core may not be the perfect sphere we once believed it to be. Led by Professor John Vidale, scientists found that this hidden layer might have changed shape by more than 100 meters in some areas over the last twenty years, as reported by the BBC. Their findings were published in Nature Geoscience.
The Earth consists of four main layers: the outer crust, the semi-liquid mantle, a molten outer core, and the dense inner core. The core is crucial for generating Earth’s magnetic field, which protects us from harmful solar radiation. Interestingly, the inner core spins independently from the outer core and the rest of the Earth. This unique rotation is essential for maintaining our magnetic shield. Without it, life on Earth could struggle to survive, possibly leading us to a barren planet similar to Mars.
Researchers suggest that the transformation of the inner core occurs at its boundary with the liquid outer core. Professor Vidale explained that the outer core seems to be tugging on the inner core, influencing its movement. The conditions within the inner core are extreme, making them hard to visualize based on our everyday experiences. “It’s almost like science fiction,” he said.
The Earth’s core lies about 4,000 miles beneath our feet, and it remains a largely unexplored area. Scientists rely on indirect methods to study this remote region, primarily analyzing seismic waves created by earthquakes. These waves provide insights into the core’s structure and materials.
The recent study took a closer look at seismic patterns from earthquakes that occurred in the same region between 1991 and 2023. By comparing these patterns over time, the researchers aimed to discover how the inner core has evolved. Professor Vidale indicated that their analysis showed the inner core might have slowed down around 2010, while also changing its shape—a finding linked to the liquid outer core’s flow and the gravitational field surrounding the core.
Professor Hrvoje Tkalcic from the Australian National University commended the research for its fresh perspective and stated that it could help scientists better understand the inner core’s properties, like viscosity, which remain largely unknown.
Interestingly, the inner core is gradually solidifying as the liquid outer core freezes onto it over billions of years. However, this process is incredibly slow—by the time it completes, the Earth will likely have been swallowed by the Sun.
Professor Vidale acknowledged that while these discoveries may not change our daily lives, they are crucial for understanding the mysteries of our planet’s inner workings. He also noted that these changes could be linked to shifts in Earth’s magnetic field. The quest for knowledge about what lies beneath our feet continues, providing insights into the complex processes that shape our world.
Check out this related article: Unleashing Science through Storytelling: Meet the Dynamic Duo Behind ‘SciChronicles’ – Arizona State Press
Source linkEarth's inner core,Earth's magnetic field,Earth’s mysterious inner core,earthquakes,shape of Earth’s inner core,Earth rotation,Earth core,rotation rate
