Scientists at the University of Southern California (USC) have made a groundbreaking discovery about the inner core of our planet. A new study published in Nature Geoscience reveals that the inner core is undergoing structural changes, challenging the long-held assumption that it is a solid sphere.
The research, led by John Vidale, a professor of Earth Sciences at USC, analyzed seismic waveform data from 121 repeating earthquakes between 1991 and 2024. The data showed unusual properties in one dataset, which initially confused Vidale but was later clarified when his team improved the resolution technique.
The findings suggest that the near surface of the inner core is undergoing viscous deformation, causing its shape to change and shift at the boundary with the outer core. The most likely cause of this structural change is interaction between the inner and outer cores, where the molten outer core’s turbulence disrupts the solid inner core.
This study sheds new light on the role topographical activity plays in rotational changes in the inner core and may also relate to the slowing down of the planet. It opens a door to reveal previously hidden dynamics deep within our Earth’s core, which could lead to a better understanding of the planet’s thermal and magnetic fields.
Source: https://today.usc.edu/earths-inner-core-is-less-solid-than-previously-thought