The Earth’s core is amazing in several ways. For one, it is the hottest part of the planet, with temperatures reaching up to 9,000 degrees Fahrenheit (5,000 degrees Celsius). The heat is generated by the decay of radioactive isotopes and leftover heat from the planet’s formation.
Another amazing aspect of the Earth’s core is its size. The core is approximately 1,500 miles (2,400 kilometers) in diameter, which is roughly the size of Mars. It is also incredibly dense, with an average density of about 13 grams per cubic centimeter, making it the densest part of the planet.
The Earth’s core is also responsible for generating its magnetic field, which helps protect the planet from harmful solar radiation.
The innermost inner core enters the stage
Scientists from the Australian National University have discovered evidence of a newfound layer inside the Earth called the “innermost inner core,” as the New York Post reveals. Seismologists found the evidence by analyzing seismic waves that travel through the Earth’s center and bounce back to the source of the quake. The findings confirm that there are five layers to the Earth’s core, not just four. The discovery may reveal more about the planet’s past and evolution, with the possibility of a major global event that led to a significant change in the Earth’s inner core.
Professor Hrvoje Tkalčić explained, as the same publication mentioned above quotes:
This inner core is like a time capsule of Earth’s evolutionary history – it’s a fossilised record that serves as a gateway into the events of our planet’s past. Events that happened on Earth hundreds of millions to billions of years ago.
The study of the Earth’s core is still an active area of research, and scientists continue to uncover new and fascinating details about this mysterious and awe-inspiring part of our planet.