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Scientists suggest that the Earth's inner core is a strange superionic alloy of iron

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A scientific team from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, conducting a new series of tests and computer modeling, found out that the inner core of the Earth can be a much stranger object than considered before.

So, according to the conclusions of scientists, the core of the Earth is not just a solid body, but the so-called superionic state of matter, which is intermediate between a liquid and a solid body.

New simulations suggest that the Earth's inner core is composed of a superionic alloy of iron and other elements. Depositphotos
New simulations suggest that the Earth's inner core is composed of a superionic alloy of iron and other elements. Depositphotos
New simulations suggest that the Earth's inner core is composed of a superionic alloy of iron and other elements. Depositphotos

How do scientists study the Earth's core?

Since scientists cannot physically reach the core of the Earth, they study it in most cases by studying seismic waves propagating during earthquakes. When these waves "spread" over the planet, they move at different speeds.

In this case, the propagation speed depends on the material through which the wave now passes. And the analysis of these rapid changes enables scientists to determine the composition of the various layers of the planet.

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Earth's core can be liquid and solid at the same time

For several decades, the propagation of seismic waves has shown that the Earth's inner core propagates a type of seismic ripple, which is called transverse waves, which just indicates the hardness kernels.

But as the refined data showed, these waves pass through the core somewhat more slowly than scientists expected from an object consisting of solid iron. And so scientists have suggested that it is somewhat softer than previously thought.

So in the course of a new laboratory experiment, scientists performed temperature and pressure modulation at the center of the Earth in order to establish what other materials may be present there.

And scientists have found that some iron alloys are capable of forming a superionic state, which is precisely what explains this previously unusual slowing of the waves.

What is a superion state

Earth's internal structure and superionic inner core (IGCAS image)
Earth's internal structure and superionic inner core (IGCAS image)

So, in the superionic state of iron, iron atoms form a solid lattice, which just keeps the material in shape, but lighter elements diffuse (flow freely in any direction) through the resulting lattice in an almost liquid condition.

So, according to the modeling, hydrogen, oxygen, and also carbon can be included in these light fluid materials.

It should be emphasized that scientists accurately calculated the speed of propagation of transverse waves through superionic alloys, and, as it turned out, these calculations are in excellent agreement with real observations.

And other discovered properties related to the inner core, scientists explained the diverse distribution and convection of these "liquid-like" elements.

Of course, the work of Chinese scientists is an original and interesting idea, but this is not the only explanation for the "strange" behavior of the solid inner core of our Earth.

There are many other very interesting theories. What is the version with "iron snow" that "falls" on the inner core from the outer core.

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