New Study Reveals Earth’s Inner Core is Protected by a Structure with Massive Mountains
Research conducted by geology expert Samantha Hansen and her team at the University of Alabama uncovers groundbreaking findings about the Earth’s core.
A recent study has shed light on the composition of the Earth’s inner core, which comprises the outer liquid layer and solid inner core. Encircling this core is a remarkable structure, similar to a protective blanket, encompassing awe-inspiring mountains that surpass the height of Mount Everest five times over.
Hansen’s team embarked on this research by meticulously analyzing seismic waves at multiple locations in Antarctica. Remarkably, their findings resonate with previous computational studies indicating the release of ancient helium gas from the Earth’s inner core, originating from the momentous Big Bang explosion nearly 13.8 billion years ago, which marked the birth of our universe.
Helium-3, a rare isotope of helium, emerges as a vital component within the Earth’s core, unlike its more common counterpart. While regular helium holds two neutrons, Helium-3 possesses only one. Furthermore, Helium-3 currently accounts for a mere 0.0001% of the total helium present on Earth. The disintegration of tritium, a nuclear isotope of hydrogen, also contributes to the production of Helium-3. Nevertheless, the primary source of this helium variant can be attributed to the Big Bang explosion, which introduced it into our solar system.
It is estimated that a minimal amount of approximately 2 kilograms of Helium-3 gas is emitted from the Earth annually, leaving experts to conclude that this gas was once abundant. Furthermore, scientists posit that a colossal celestial object collided with our planet approximately 400 million years ago, resulting in the substantial loss of this gas. Interestingly, this impact is believed to have birthed the moon as we know it today.
Remarkably, significant quantities of Helium-3 have been discovered within the lunar surface soil. It is postulated that approximately 1 million tonnes of this valuable gas can be found there.
Earlier research conducted last year also unveiled an intriguing discovery pertaining to the Earth’s inner core. Scientists identified the presence of rust, a phenomenon unheard of in an iron-nickel alloy. Typically, iron undergoes rusting when exposed to water or moist air. Laboratory experiments have confirmed that the rusting process can occur when iron encounters an ore rich in hydroxyl under high pressure.
Scientists assert that this corrosion phenomenon in the core also holds fascinating insights into the Great Oxygenation Event, an epochal incident that occurred 2.5 billion years ago and transformed our planet’s atmosphere. They believe that similar corrosion events could potentially trigger substantial oxygen production endeavors in the future, leading to a significant surge of oxygen in our atmosphere. Further studies on this subject are already being planned.
We know that the Earth has an inner core, a middle part called the mantle and an outer part called the crust. The inner core is located 2900 km below the surface of the earth. The inner core has a liquid outer part and a solid inner part called the core. Now a new study has come out. There is a structure that covers this inner core like a blanket. The structure also has mountains 5 times the height of Everest in some parts. Samantha Hansen, a geology researcher at the University of Alabama in the United States, and her team are behind the study.
The team conducted the study by evaluating seismic waves at 15 locations in Antarctica. Last year, computational studies by scientists showed that ancient and rare helium gas was ejected from the Earth’s inner core after the Big Bang explosion that led to the origin of the universe. This gas, known as Helium-3, was created 13.8 billion years ago during the Big Bang explosion.
Through the explosion of the Big Bang
This study has shown that there is a large source of helium 3 in the core of the Earth. Helium 3 is considered to be an isotope form of the element helium. A normal helium nucleus has two neutrons. But Helium 3 only has one. Helium 3 is only 0.0001 percent of the total helium on Earth. The decay of tritium, a nuclear isotope of hydrogen, also results in the production of helium 3. But the explosion of the Big Bang is the main reason for this gas enters the solar system.
It is known that about 2 kg of helium 3 gas is emitted from the earth every year. This is a very small amount. Scientists say helium-3 was once readily available on Earth. Scientists also believe that a huge object hit the Earth 400 million years ago, which caused this gas to be lost in a large amount from the Earth. It is also argued that the moon was created in this thunderbolt.
Helium in lunar soil 3
However, the lunar surface soil contains significant amounts of helium-3. It is estimated that 1 million tonnes of helium 3 can be found here
Last year, scientists also discovered that rust affects the inner core. This is the first discovery of its kind in an iron-nickel alloy. Rust occurs in iron when it is exposed to water or moist air. Scientists have shown in laboratory experiments that the rusting process can occur when iron comes into contact with an ore containing hydroxyl at high pressure.
Scientists have said that the same is true of the Earth’s inner core and the second core, the mantle.
Corrosion in the core also promises to provide information about the Great Oxygenation Event that occurred on Earth 2.5 billion years ago. Scientists say such corrosion could also lead to major oxygen production events in the future. It will allow oxygen to reach the atmosphere in a big way. Scientists plan to conduct more studies on this topic.
English summary: underground-mountains-earth-core-research
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