Revealing the Surprising Softness and Shifting Iron Atoms of Earth's Inner Core
Earth's inner core, previously believed to be a solid ball of metal, is now thought to be surprisingly soft due to hyperactive atoms that move within their molecular structure. Recent studies have shown inconsistencies within the inner core, suggesting it may be a "mushy hidden world." The new study recreated the intense pressure within the inner core in a lab and observed how iron atoms behaved. The results revealed that the atoms can move more than previously imagined, making the inner core less rigid and weaker against shear forces. This finding could provide insights into the inner core's role in generating Earth's magnetic field and understanding its dynamic processes and evolution.