Earth’s mysterious core is yet again generating headlines as scientists learn more about what lies way beneath our feet.
Located 3,000 miles below the Earth’s surface, the inner core is anchored by gravity within the molten liquid outer core. It’s believed to play an important role in maintaining the planet’s magnetic field.
And scientists have a lot of questions about what’s happening at the center of the planet. Is it spinning? Could it reverse directions? How hot is it? What’s it made of?
New discoveries are even calling into question whether the core is solid. A new study out this week said that the Earth’s inner core is less solid than previously thought.
“What we’re observing in this study for the first time is likely the outer core disturbing the inner core,” study lead author John Vidale of the University of Southern California said, in a statement. He said the discovery opens a door to reveal previously hidden dynamics deep within Earth’s core.