Earth's inner core has shifted shape over two decades, scientists discover

Earth's inner core shape shifts over 20 years, study finds using earthquakes.

: Scientists discovered Earth's inner core shape shifted over two decades by analyzing seismic waves from 121 repeating earthquakes. Around 2010, the core's rotation slowed relative to Earth's, revealing its dynamic nature. The phenomena occurring at the boundary between the inner and outer core may shape the planet's gravity field.

Earth's inner core has undergone a shape shift over the past 20 years, an intriguing discovery made by scientists studying its behavior. The team, led by Professor John Vidale, analyzed seismic waves from 121 repeating earthquakes between 1991 and 2023, determining the core slowed its rotation around 2010.

These earthquakes allowed scientists to observe the core's changing shape at the boundary with the liquid outer core where it nears melting. This shift might disrupt Earth's gravity field, an idea that Professor Hrvoje Tkalcic notes deserves future research.

The study of Earth's chaotic interior is crucial for understanding the planet's future, especially since the cessation of the core's rotation would ultimately lead to the disappearance of the magnetic field. Such apocalyptic events are foreseen billions of years from now, as the sun may go supernova before this happens.

EarthquakesCore ShapeSeismology