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Earth's outer core may contain moving solid masses, study finds
A study led by geophysicist Ying Zhu from Virginia Tech suggests that Earth's outer core is not a uniform mass of liquid metal, but contains heterogeneous materials and potentially large moving solid masses.
By analyzing seismic waves from 112 pairs of underground nuclear tests conducted by France in Mururoa, French Polynesia, between 1977 and 1995, researchers observed significant variations in wave travel times. Compared to 1977, waves arrived roughly 0.1 seconds faster in 1982-1983 and 0.15 seconds faster in 1988-1990, before slowing down by 0.15 to 0.2 seconds by 1995.
The study identified a new type of seismic wave, named PKrKP, which reflects within the middle part of the outer core. This discovery helped identify a potential anomalous region in the South Pacific at low latitudes, estimated to be over 700 kilometers wide and 100 kilometers thick. Understanding these movements may provide insights into the formation and changes of Earth's magnetic field.
Entities
France · Kazakhstan · Mururoa · Virginia Tech · Ying Zhu
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] By 1995, seismic waves traveling through the outer core were 0.15 to 0.2 seconds slower than in 1977. dailynewslb.com · www.sadanews.ps · swiftnewz.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] An anomalous region measuring over 700 kilometers wide and approximately 100 kilometers thick may exist in the South Pacific at low latitudes. dailynewslb.com · www.sadanews.ps · swiftnewz.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Earth's outer core may contain heterogeneous materials and large moving solid masses rather than being a uniform liquid mass. dailynewslb.com · www.sadanews.ps · swiftnewz.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The research utilized seismic wave data from 112 pairs of underground nuclear tests conducted by France in Mururoa, French Polynesia, between 1977 and 1995. dailynewslb.com · www.sadanews.ps · swiftnewz.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A previously unknown type of seismic wave, named PKrKP, was identified in the study. dailynewslb.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Seismic waves traveling through the outer core arrived approximately 0.1 seconds faster in 1982-1983 and 0.15 seconds faster in 1988-1990 compared to 1977. dailynewslb.com · www.sadanews.ps · swiftnewz.com