Why Does The Earth's Core Spin

Phrak

1 Why does the Earth's core spin in relation to the crust?
2. How quickly are viscous effects slowing it down, if it actually is slowing down?

-deCraig

Andre

The question whether or not the inner core spins faster than the mantle crust is debated for over a decade. The Last publication suggest that there is a very small super rotation factor around 0,1 sec per decade or 8.6 million years for a revolution, compared to the first estimates of one rotation every 400 years.

Why? Any explanation is speculation although Gary Glatzmaiers geo magnetism model predicted a superrotation. So he is happy. And if that's correct then obviously the spinning of the inner core would likely react on magneto dynamic variation.

Phrak

Way cool, Andre. Thanks for the info.

I'm been suffering under the impression since gradeschool that the core rotated at a significant rate--far more than quoted in your references.

I was interested in this topic as to the origine of the Earth's magnetohydrodynamics sources, so it was nice to see it address in your links.

-deCraig