Unveiling Earth's Core: The Mysterious Donut of Lighter Elements

A recent study led by scientists has discovered a donut-shaped region in Earth's outer core where seismic waves travel 2% slower. This area likely contains lighter elements like silicon and oxygen. The findings provide new insights into Earth's geodynamo, responsible for generating the planet's magnetic field.

Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery about Earth's outer core, nearly 2,890 kilometers below the surface. Using seismic waves generated by earthquakes, researchers identified a large, donut-shaped region around the Equator where these waves travel 2% slower than in other parts of the core. This indicates the presence of lighter elements such as silicon and oxygen.

The study employed a novel technique called 'coda-correlation wavefield' to detect these variations. By comparing seismic data from different parts of the globe, the researchers concluded that this unique region is likely crucial for understanding the vast currents of liquid metal that generate Earth's magnetic field.

The findings were published in Science Advances and offer fresh insights into the dynamic processes within Earth's core, which could help explain how the planet's magnetic field changes in intensity and direction over time, affecting both Earth and potentially habitable exoplanets.

(With inputs from agencies.)