In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists from the Australian National University (ANU) have identified a vast, doughnut-shaped region within Earth’s liquid outer core. This remarkable finding, published in the journal Science Advances, provides new insights into the dynamics of our planet’s magnetic field.
The newly discovered structure is located thousands of kilometers beneath the Earth’s surface, within the molten metal of the outer core. This region, which sits parallel to the equator, has remained undetected until now. Analyzing seismic waves generated by large earthquakes made the discovery possible. These waves travel through the Earth, revealing information about its internal composition.
Professor Hrvoje Tkalčić, a geophysicist at ANU, explained that the seismic waves slow down as they pass through this doughnut-shaped region, indicating a unique structure within the outer core. “By understanding the paths of these waves and their travel times, we reconstructed their journey through the Earth’s outer core,” he said.
The discovery adds a new layer of complexity to our understanding of the Earth’s interior. The outer core, predominantly composed of liquid iron and nickel, plays a crucial role in generating Earth’s magnetic field. This magnetic field is essential for sustaining life on Earth, as it protects the planet from harmful solar winds and radiation.
Dr. Xiaolong Ma, a co-author of the study, emphasized the importance of this discovery in understanding the dynamics of Earth’s magnetic field. “There are still mysteries about the Earth’s outer core that are yet to be solved, which requires multidisciplinary efforts from seismology, mineral physics, geomagnetism, and geodynamics,” he said1.
This discovery not only deepens our understanding of the Earth’s core but also opens new avenues for research into the planet’s magnetic field and its implications for life on Earth.
