A new study has revealed that the inner core of our planet is undergoing surprise structural changes, leaving scientists baffled. Researchers have found that the core’s physical nature is not what was previously thought, with possible implications for the length of each day.
Located 3,000 miles beneath the Earth’s surface, the inner core is held in place by gravity and surrounded by a molten liquid outer core. Scientists had been studying the slowing rotation of the inner core but stumbled upon evidence that suggests it may not be solid as previously believed.
An analysis of seismographs from numerous decades revealed a set of seismic waves that indicated significant physical activity within the inner core. The study, published in Nature Geoscience, suggests that the outer core’s turbulence is disturbing the inner core, leading to “viscous deformation” and changes in its shape.
This discovery has significant implications for our understanding of the Earth’s internal dynamics. According to John Vidale, principal investigator of the study, “What we’re observing in this study for the first time is likely the outer core disturbing the inner core.” The findings have left scientists excited about new insights into the complex processes within our planet.
Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/space/earth-inner-core-shape-change-b2697397.html