Have you ever wondered what’s deep inside our planet? Scientists have made an amazing discovery – Earth’s inner core is actually changing shape! This new finding helps answer some big questions about our planet’s hidden heart and might even explain changes in the length of our day and Earth’s magnetic field.
A Shaky Discovery
Earthquakes are powerful forces of nature, but did you know they can also help scientists see inside the Earth? Researchers studied how earthquake waves traveled from the South Sandwich Islands (near the Atlantic Ocean) all the way to Canada and Alaska, on the opposite side of the world. When these waves passed through Earth’s inner core, something strange happened – their patterns changed! Scientists say this proves that the core isn’t just a solid ball of metal, as many once believed, but that it can actually deform and change shape over time.
What’s Inside Earth’s Core?
Think of Earth like a giant jawbreaker candy with different layers. The inner core, about 5,100 kilometers (3,170 miles) below the surface, is surrounded by a hot, liquid outer core. The inner core is mostly made of iron and nickel and was thought to be completely solid. But scientists have discovered that it spins slightly differently from the rest of the planet! And now, this new research suggests that the boundary between the inner and outer core is shifting, developing bulges in some areas.
Why Does This Matter?
This discovery is exciting because the inner core plays a big role in how Earth works. The way iron crystals grow in the core helps drive movements in the outer core, which creates Earth’s magnetic field. This magnetic field protects us from harmful space radiation! Changes in the core’s shape and rotation might also be linked to tiny changes in the length of our 24-hour day. Scientists are still trying to figure out exactly how everything connects.
The Future of Core Research
The Earth’s core is still one of the most mysterious places on our planet, but thanks to earthquake waves, researchers are slowly uncovering its secrets. With more studies, we might one day fully understand how the heart of our planet works – and how it affects everything from navigation systems to climate patterns!
Stay curious, young scientists! There’s always more to discover about the world beneath our feet.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only. All information in this article is based on the original source from Nature Geoscience (https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-025-00395-7). For scientific accuracy and further research, please refer to official studies and expert sources.
