A new study of decades worth of seismogram data shows that the surface of Earth's iron and nickel core is more malleable than scientists thought.
Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us? A new study analyzing decades of seismogram data shows that physical changes can occur at the surface of the Earth's inner core. This means that the surface of the inner core could be more viscous than scientists originally thought. The leading theory is that this physical change arises from the inner core's interaction with the more chaotic outer core, though other ideas include inner core convection or interactions with structures in the lower mantle. Love the air you're breathing, the water you're drinking, and the life you're living? Thank Earth's inner core. The intense heat of this ball of nickel and iron drives the movement of the liquid outer core, which produces Earth's magnetic field—that invisible lifeline that protects the planet (and all of its inhabitants) from harmful solar radiation. Despite the inner core's starring role in making life on Earth possible, scientists are still discovering fundamental facts about this ball of metal. A new study from scientists at the University of Southern California (USC) pored over decades' worth of seismograms collected from Fairbanks, Alaska, and Yellowknife, Canada, to try and answer some lingering questions. Related Story Why Earth's Core Is Cooling Faster Than Expected The…