Scientists believe Earth’s inner core may have changed shape. The discovery suggests its edges could have deformed over the past 20 years. This insight comes from research led by Prof John Vidale from the University of Southern California.
A Shifting Core Beneath Our Feet
Earth’s core plays a crucial role in protecting life. It generates a magnetic field that shields the planet from the Sun’s radiation. The inner core spins separately from the outer core and the rest of Earth. Without this movement, Earth would lose its magnetic field, much like Mars.
Researchers believe the inner core's shape may be shifting. The change could be occurring at the boundary where the solid core meets the liquid outer core. Factors like heat, gravity, and metal flow may be influencing this process.
Analysing Seismic Clues
Since scientists cannot directly access the core, they study earthquake waves. These waves travel through Earth’s layers and reveal details about its structure. The study analysed seismic waves from earthquakes recorded between 1991 and 2023.
Findings suggest that the inner core’s rotation slowed around 2010. The data also revealed signs of the core’s shape changing. The outer core's liquid flow and gravitational forces could be causing this deformation.
What This Means for Earth
Prof Hrvoje Tkalcic from Australian National University, who was not part of the study, called the findings “an interesting concept.” He noted they could help scientists understand the viscosity of the inner core, which remains largely unknown.
Over time, the liquid outer core is freezing into the solid inner core. However, it will take billions of years before it becomes fully solid. By then, Earth may no longer exist as the Sun is expected to expand and engulf the planet.
Prof Vidale stressed that while the findings are important, they do not pose any immediate concerns. “We want to understand what’s happening inside Earth,” he said. He also noted that the changes might be linked to fluctuations in Earth’s magnetic field.
Despite the uncertainties, researchers continue exploring Earth’s inner core. “Science is about looking at things until we understand them,” Vidale said.
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