Unveiling the Secrets of Earth's Iron Cycle: From Deep Synthesis to Oceanic Dynamics
Scientists have successfully recreated the high-pressure iron polymorph believed to make up a significant portion of the Earth's core. By analyzing the elastic properties of this material, they have gained insights into why seismic waves travel faster pole-to-pole than across the equator. The experimental measurements were supported by theoretical calculations that accounted for the unique interactions between iron electrons. This research opens up possibilities for further exploration of metal systems under extreme conditions.