AUSTIN, TEXAS —It is snowing iron at the Earth's core because molten iron crystalizes in the outer core before the substance sinking downwards, a study published in JGR Solid Earth says.
The University of Texas at Austin said in a press release that these iron particles form a 300 kilometer layer above the Earth's solid inner core.
The study said that the team led by Sichuan University associate professor Zhang Youjun analyzed seismic wave signals to infer the composition of the Earth's core.
The university says that scientists found seismic waves propagating slowly in the outer core's base, but quickly in the eastern hemisphere of the top inner core.
The researchers believe that the varying thickness of the iron slurry layer is the cause of the speed difference.
They theorize that the iron particles have the effect of slowing seismic wave travel and that the substance is thinner on the inner core's eastern hemisphere.
According to the researchers, the Earth's core drives tectonic plate movement with its heat and generates the magnetic field around the planet.
The researchers say that understanding the composition of the Earth's core may shed light on those larger processes.
The University of Texas at Austin said in a press release that these iron particles form a 300 kilometer layer above the Earth's solid inner core.
The study said that the team led by Sichuan University associate professor Zhang Youjun analyzed seismic wave signals to infer the composition of the Earth's core.
The university says that scientists found seismic waves propagating slowly in the outer core's base, but quickly in the eastern hemisphere of the top inner core.
The researchers believe that the varying thickness of the iron slurry layer is the cause of the speed difference.
They theorize that the iron particles have the effect of slowing seismic wave travel and that the substance is thinner on the inner core's eastern hemisphere.
According to the researchers, the Earth's core drives tectonic plate movement with its heat and generates the magnetic field around the planet.
The researchers say that understanding the composition of the Earth's core may shed light on those larger processes.
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