“Iron snow” falling in the core gives planets wavering magnetic fields

The intensely hot interior of planets isn’t somewhere you’d expect to find snow, but scientists do suspect that “iron snow” falls on the Earth’s core. Now, a new study has modeled the dynamics in the lab and found that iron snow could make magnetic fie… Continue reading “Iron snow” falling in the core gives planets wavering magnetic fields

Ruins of long-lost planet may have been discovered near Earth’s core

We only have to look up at the Moon to see the remains of a cataclysmic collision between two early planets, billions of years ago. Now scientists suggest evidence may also be deep beneath our feet, as the remains of that ancient planet lurk near the E… Continue reading Ruins of long-lost planet may have been discovered near Earth’s core

Earth’s solid inner core may have pockets of liquid iron

The Earth’s inner core is incredibly tricky to study, since it’s buried beneath thousands of miles of rock. New seismic studies suggest that it’s not just a solid ball of iron, as has been assumed, but might have pockets of liquid iron throughout.Conti… Continue reading Earth’s solid inner core may have pockets of liquid iron

NASA lander makes first direct observations of another planet’s core

The mission may be defunct, but NASA’s InSight Mars lander is still uncovering new things about the Red Planet. Scientists poring over data have now made the first direct observations of another planet’s core, finding that it’s not quite what we though… Continue reading NASA lander makes first direct observations of another planet’s core

Ancient crystals may settle argument of when tectonic plates got moving

Researchers have examined tiny time capsules found in the oldest-known crystals in an attempt to settle a question that divides scientists: when did Earth’s tectonic plates begin to move?Continue ReadingCategory: ScienceTags: Earth, Earth core, volcano… Continue reading Ancient crystals may settle argument of when tectonic plates got moving

An ancient ocean floor has landed next to the Earth’s core, says study

Everyone is familiar with the concept of finding sunken treasure on the ocean floor. Now, scientists may have found an ancient ocean floor that is itself a type of geological buried treasure. Using seismic readings acquired in Antarctica over three yea… Continue reading An ancient ocean floor has landed next to the Earth’s core, says study

Earth’s inner core may have stopped spinning – but what does that mean?

The inner Earth is a mysterious place, and now scientists may have uncovered a strange new secret. According to a new study, the Earth’s inner core may have recently stopped rotating, relative to the surface, as part of a decades-long cycle.Continue Re… Continue reading Earth’s inner core may have stopped spinning – but what does that mean?

Earth’s inner core is a strange superionic iron alloy, study suggests

Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences have found that Earth’s inner core may be stranger than we thought. Rather than a plain solid, new simulations suggest it exists as a superionic state of matter, partway between a liquid and a solid.Cont… Continue reading Earth’s inner core is a strange superionic iron alloy, study suggests

Earth’s interior may be cooling down faster than we thought

The extremely hot interior of the Earth is slowly cooling down, but exactly how fast remains unknown. By studying how well a common deep-Earth mineral conducts heat, researchers from Carnegie and ETH Zurich have found that the planet’s interior may be … Continue reading Earth’s interior may be cooling down faster than we thought