USC scientists have discovered that the Earth's inner core, previously thought to be a solid sphere of iron and nickel, is actually undergoing shape changes. Their study reveals the softening edges of the inner core are influenced by the turbulent liquid iron and nickel in the outer core, potentially altering its form. This discovery was unexpected as the research initially focused on the inner core's slowing rotation. The findings suggest the deformation can impact the Earth's rotation over time, indicating the dynamic nature of Earth's interior more than previously understood.
The molten outer core is widely known to be turbulent, but its turbulence had not been observed to disrupt its neighbor the inner core on a human timescale.
What we're observing in this study for the first time is likely the outer core disturbing the inner core.
It's likely the outer core is deforming the shape of the inner core, pushing it a kilometer or two in areas where they rub together.
I was busy studying graphs that record ground vibrations caused by seismic waves when one data set curiously stood out from the rest.
Collection
[
|
...
]