Earth¡¯s Core Isn¡¯t Solid Or Liquid, It's In A Superionic State Says New Study

Our Earth¡¯s core remains as mysterious as the vast nothingness of space. Previous studies and research have hinted that the core of our planet is made of a highly compressed ball of solid iron alloy.

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However, a new study published in Nature hints that it could be in a new form -- a superionic form.

Researchers in the study first highlight the fact that studying and understanding the Earth¡¯s core isn¡¯t an easy feat primarily due to the seismological observations showing a complicated structure that seems to make little sense.

One of the currently unsolved mysteries is with the understanding of the Earth¡¯s core is that it sports a low-shear-wave velocity that¡¯s unmatched by the sound velocities found in iron and iron alloys.

Due to this researchers believe that the core also includes light elements that put them into a superionic state instead of a solid state. Researchers made use of computer simulations based on data generated from an earthquake to understand what the core really is made of.

Using ab-initio molecular dynamics simulations, researchers found that hydrogen, oxygen and carbon in hexagonal close-packed iron transform to a superionic state under the inner core conditions, revealing high diffusion coefficients such as liquids.

Representational Image: Unsplash

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The study results indicate that it could consist of hardened iron. This would allow other elements to move around it, allowing for the core to possess both solid and liquid states.

Professor He Yu, who lead the research said in a statement, ¡°It is quite abnormal. The solidification of iron at the inner core boundary does not change the mobility of these light elements, and the convection of light elements is continuous in the inner core.¡±

He concluded stating, ¡°I think more studies are needed to explain other seismic features, such as seismic anisotropy, in the inner core.¡±

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