Scientists have discovered a new state of matter in the center of the Earth

An international team of geophysicists from Sichuan University and the Institute of Geochemistry of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have discovered an unusual state of matter in the bowels of the Earth. This was reported by the National Science Review (NSR) magazine.

Previously, it was believed that the inner core of the earth is a solid ball surrounded by a liquid outer core. However, the experiment showed that the Earth's core is in a hybrid state of matter, which is characterized as something between a solid and a liquid.

Seismic observations show that the inner core of the Earth is solid, but it has extremely low shear wave velocities and a very high Poisson's ratio.

"Our results suggest that the inner core may have a liquid-like softness that arises both from the superionic diffusion of light elements and from the collective movement of iron atoms," the publication says.

Allegedly, this study experimentally confirms the previously unknown structure of matter in the inner core, resolving long-standing geophysical and seismological contradictions.

Martian past: scientists have discovered a dangerous effect for the colonists of the Red Planet

How will the phenomenon affect the pace of Elon Musk's project to explore the neighboring world

On September 22, the journal Geophysical Research Letters (GRL) reported a change in the Earth's magnetic field due to a shift near the planet's core. It was noted that a geological anomaly was detected at the boundary of the mantle and core at a depth of about 3 thousand km. According to the publication, the event was recorded in the period from 2006 to 2008 and represents a significant shift in rock masses, for which there is no explanation yet.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.