Iron Atoms Discovered on the Move in Earth’s Solid Inner Core

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Iron Atoms Discovered on the Move in Earth’s Solid Inner Core

Quote

AUSTIN, Texas — The iron atoms that make up the Earth’s solid inner core are tightly jammed together by astronomically high pressures — the highest on the planet.

But even here, there’s space for wiggle room, researchers have found.

A study led by The University of Texas at Austin and collaborators in China found that certain groupings of iron atoms in the Earth’s inner core are able to move about rapidly, changing their places in a split second while maintaining the underlying metallic structure of the iron — a type of movement known as “collective motion” that’s akin to dinner guests changing seats at a table.

Read More: The University of Texas at Austin

 

[Doc Socks Junior]

This is very interesting, especially as it relates to the generation of the geomagnetic field. I'll have to read the actual journal article once I've got access.