Changes in the Earth's Inner Core Structure

Reference:

Scientists have discovered that there have been significant changes in the shape of the Earth's inner core in the last 20 years. This part was earlier considered solid and unchanging

Research work on changes in the inner core structure:

• This research work has been published in the Nature Geoscience journal titled 'Rotation rate of the Earth's inner core and its variability at the annual level near the surface'.
• The study has been assessed using earthquake data collected from the year 1991 to 2023.
  • Deformation up to a height of 100 meters was found through advanced seismic analysis. This discovery provides new information about the dynamics of the inner core and its effect on the Earth's magnetic field.
• This research was completed under the leadership of Professor John Vidale of the University of Southern California, USA.

Major findings of the research:

• Over the past 20 years, there have been structural changes in the Earth's inner core.
• These changes in shape have occurred at the outer boundary of the inner core where the edge of the solid inner core is in contact with the extremely hot liquid outer core.
• The most likely reason for this is the outer core pulling the inner core, which is slightly changing its normal structural state.
• A few decades ago, the inner core was seen rotating slightly faster than the outer layers and now it is rotating slightly slower.
  • The inner core does not rotate at exactly the same rate as the rest of the Earth. Its speed of rotation keeps changing.

Importance of research

• Research study on changes in the structure of the Earth's inner core will prove to be important for understanding the Earth's magnetic field and its future.
• The rotation of the Earth's inner core is also related to the duration of day and night, which will help scientists to know about it.