New research suggests that the Earth's inner core, a solid sphere at the center of our planet, may not be static as previously thought. It appears to change shape in addition to its known fluctuations in rotation speed.
A new, detailed study of Earth's core reveals a surprising discovery: the rotating inner core not only changes in rotation speed but also appears to change in shape. Scientists have observed subtle variations in the way acoustic waves travel through the planet's center, suggesting that the inner core isn't a perfectly static sphere. This finding is a significant advancement in our understanding of the Earth's deep interior and its influence on planetary processes.
Earth's solid inner core is one of the most enigmatic objects in geophysics. It rotates within a layer of liquid outer core, influencing phenomena like the length of a day and the generation of the Earth's magnetic field. Due to its inaccessibility, scientists rely on indirect methods to study the core, primarily through seismic waves generated by earthquakes. By analyzing the patterns of these waves as they pass through the Earth, researchers can glean information about the core's composition, density, and even its movements. Previously, studies had shown that the inner core's rotation speed fluctuates, but this new research suggests that the core may also exhibit changes in its shape, possibly due to the interaction of the inner core with the surrounding, highly viscous outer core. This could involve minor depressions and uplifts along the boundary between the two layers, influenced by the flow of denser materials within the Earth.This discovery opens up new avenues of research into the dynamics of Earth's core and its effects on the planet as a whole. Further studies will be crucial to confirm and refine these findings, providing a deeper understanding of this vital, albeit hidden, engine of our planet
EARTH's CORE INNER CORE ROTATION SHAPE CHANGES SEISMIC WAVES GEOPHYSICS
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