New Finding: Light element layer in Earth's outer core

[billiards]

Researchers have found seismic evidence for a 300 km thick layer in the outer core formed of light elements expelled upon inner core solidification. They believe the gravitational energy released by this compositional convection is a key input to the energy that drives the geodynamo (responsible for the magnetic field we observe at the surface). Furthermore, this layer pools at the top of the outer core implying that any heat transferred in the upper 300 km must be done so without convection -- no convection in the upper 300 km of the outer core!

Pretty cool finding, which has major implication for geodynamic models.

http://www.nature.com/news/2010/101208/full/news.2010.657.html
http://www.bris.ac.uk/news/2010/7366.html

 

[zmike]

This is an exciting research discovery. It brings up a lot of questions about how this layer of light elements affects the geodynamo and how heat is transferred in the upper 300 km of the outer core without convection. It certainly has significant implications for our understanding of Earth's interior dynamics.

 

[Huyen401]

Wow, this is really interesting! It's amazing how much we are still learning about the Earth's core and its role in the geodynamo. This new finding could have a huge impact on our understanding of the Earth's magnetic field and how it is sustained. I can't wait to see how this discovery will be incorporated into geodynamic models and what other insights it will bring. Thanks for sharing those links, I'll definitely be reading more about this!