Scientists previously confirmed that the Earth’s inner core rotates more slowly than its surface. However, new research suggests that structural changes are occurring within the inner core.
It is important to note that the Earth’s outer core consists of liquid metal, while the inner core is made of solid metals, roughly 70% the size of the Moon. This solid core is located about 4,800 kilometers beneath our feet.
For the first time, researchers have discovered evidence indicating that the inner core has undergone changes over the past 20 years. These changes were identified through the analysis of seismic waves from earthquakes.
The study utilized earthquake data from the 2024 research that had previously examined the rotation speed of the Earth’s inner core. Scientists analyzed seismic data from 121 earthquakes recorded between 1991 and 2023 near the South Sandwich Islands. The new study found that the seismic waves suggest alterations in the structure of the inner core.
Researchers compared seismic signals that traveled through the inner core with past data to detect any differences. They concluded that these changes in the core’s surface provide insights into the deep-seated magnetic energy within the Earth, which plays a crucial role in protecting our planet from solar weather and harmful radiation.
