By examining small changes in the Earth’s rotation, the research team suggests that: the inner core can be placed at a slight angle pertaining to the mantle. The observed oscillations, which occur approximately every 8.5 years, indicate a change in density in the Earth’s interior, causing the inner core to tilt 0.17 degrees away from the planet’s mantle.

How is everything arranged in theory?

Traditionally, models assume an equal distribution of density in both the mantle and the core, implying that they rotate along the same axis. However, recent research question this assumptionIt indicates an inhomogeneous nature of density that can affect the overall motion of the Earth.

Hao Ding, Dean of the Faculty of Geophysics at Wuhan University in China and co-author of the study, explained that the study revealed a different angle of rotation of the inner core towards the east, as well as the possibility of a shift in its axes. Symmetry between the lower mantle/core-mantle boundary layer and the upper mantle.

Why is this important?

The implications of these findings go beyond theoretical models of the Earth’s internal structure. The observed density variation, particularly where the inner core interacts with surrounding layers, leads to periodic oscillations that challenge established understanding of the dynamics between individual layers of the Earth.

The research also points to potential implications for the Earth’s geomagnetic field. Ding noted that the tilt between the inner core and the mantle can cause the liquid core to change its shape, affecting the movement of the liquid and, as a result, changing the geomagnetic field.

Although these discoveries provide insight into the complexity of the Earth’s interior, scientists emphasize that more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms operating there. As the layers of this scientific mystery continue to be peeled away, the core’s internal oscillation may reveal a deeper understanding of the planet’s structure and dynamic behavior.