Scientists at the University of Southern California (USC) have made a surprising discovery about Earth's inner core. They found that it's not as solid as previously thought and may be more malleable.
Here's a breakdown of the key details:
- Accidental Discovery: The researchers weren't initially looking for this. They were studying how the inner core's rotation is slowing down using seismic waveform data from earthquakes.
- Unexpected Data: While analyzing this data, they noticed some unusual properties in the waveforms that contradicted the existing understanding of the inner core as a completely solid structure.
- Evidence of Movement: The data suggests that the inner core might be moving around a bit, indicating that it's not entirely solid.
- Potential Implications: This finding could lead to a better understanding of Earth's thermal and magnetic fields, as well as the planet's overall dynamics. It might even explain why the length of a day minutely changes.
In simpler terms:
Imagine Earth's inner core as a ball of solid metal. Scientists have now found that this "ball" might be more like a thick, gooey substance at its surface, allowing it to shift and move. This discovery could change our understanding of how Earth works.
Where can you find more information?
- Space.com: This website has a detailed article about the discovery, explaining the research methods and the potential implications. You can find it by searching "Scientists accidentally discover Earth's inner core is less solid than expected" on Space.com.
- Reddit: There's a discussion about this discovery on the r/space subreddit, where people share their thoughts and ask questions. You can find it by searching "Scientists accidentally discover Earth's inner core is less solid than expected" on Reddit.
- Daily Mail: This news website also has an article about the discovery, focusing on how the inner core might be changing shape. You can find it by searching "Scientists are baffled after discovering Earth's inner core is DEFORMED" on the Daily Mail website.
This is a fascinating discovery that highlights how much we still have to learn about our own planet. It's a reminder that science is constantly evolving and that new findings can challenge our existing understanding of the world around us.