Australian scientists have made an incredible breakthrough in the depths of the Earth. Their findings confirm a 20-year-old hypothesis, revealing the planet has a solid, metallic core beneath its crust, molten mantle, and outer and inner cores. This fifth layer is like a hidden Kinder Surprise.
Prof. Hrvoje Tkalčić of the Australian National University explains that this discovery offers insight into the evolution of the planet. He says, “It’s a fossilised record that serves as a gateway into the events of our planet’s past.”
The research, published in Nature Communications, was conducted using seismic waves originating from an earthquake in Alaska. By examining the speed and trajectory of the waves, the scientists found evidence of a hard, iron-nickel alloy core. This suggests a major global event occurred during the Earth’s evolution which caused a change in the texture of the core.
However, Prof. Tkalčić says there is still much to learn. He states, “There are still many unanswered questions about the Earth’s innermost inner core, which could hold the secrets to piecing together the mystery of our planet’s formation.”