A team of researchers, led by Australian National University geophysicist Joanne Stephenson, has made a groundbreaking discovery that challenges our understanding of the Earth’s inner core. While we traditionally believe the Earth consists of four main layers – crust, mantle, outer core, and inner core – new evidence suggests that the inner core may actually have an even smaller, hidden layer within it.
According to Stephenson, scientists used advanced computer algorithms to analyze data from seismic waves that travel through the Earth’s interior. By matching thousands of models of the inner core with observed data, the team found anomalies in the material structure of the inner core, which may indicate two separate cooling events in the Earth’s history.
The study revealed a change in the slow direction of seismic waves to 54 degrees at certain angles, suggesting that the inner core has an innermost layer. This finding could explain inconsistencies in experimental evidence and previous studies on the anisotropy of the inner core.
While there are still gaps in data, particularly in polar regions, Stephenson believes this discovery adds another piece to the puzzle of the Earth’s inner core. Future research may help confirm or contradict these findings, providing more insights into the early layer of the Earth’s history.
Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/scientists-found-signs-of-a-hidden-structure-inside-earths-core