A new study published in Nature Geoscience reveals that the Earth’s inner core is undergoing a structural transformation. Researchers from USC led by Dean’s Professor of Earth Sciences John Vidale found evidence of viscous deformation and shifting at the inner core’s shallow boundary, suggesting its surface may be changing.
For decades, scientists have focused on the rotation of the inner core rather than structural variations. However, this new study sheds light on the role topographical activity plays in rotational changes and may relate to the slowing of the inner core.
Located 3,000 miles below the Earth’s surface, the inner core is thought to be a solid sphere. But Vidale and his team used seismic waveform data from 121 repeating earthquakes at 42 locations near Antarctica to challenge this assumption. The study found unusual properties in one dataset that hinted at physical activity within the inner core.
Further analysis revealed that the inner core’s shape is changing over time, with the near surface undergoing viscous deformation. This change is likely caused by interaction between the molten outer core and the inner core itself. The discovery opens up new possibilities for understanding Earth’s thermal and magnetic fields.
The study has significant implications for our understanding of the Earth’s core. By studying the inner core’s structural changes, scientists may gain insights into its internal dynamics and the processes that shape our planet.
Source: https://scitechdaily.com/researchers-uncover-mysterious-structural-changes-in-earths-inner-core