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| Report: Heavy iron isotopes leaking from Earth's core |
Scientists explain that understanding the physical processes that take place inside our planet is fundamental for the interpretation of seismic data from the earth's mantle. At the core of our planet are large quantities of nickel and molten iron and, as shown by a recent study published by scientists at the University of California Davis (UC Davis), the United States of America, the latter has a number of isotopes. which behaves differently. Thus, the study shows that the heavy isotopes of iron, which are differentiated by the greater number of neutrons, "migrate" to the "periphery" of the nucleus and then to the Earth's mantle and this due to the lower temperatures. chemical transfer between the depths and the surface of the planet.
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| Earth's Leaky Core photo: Technology Networks |
In this study, the team led by Professor Lesher studied the behavior of iron isotopes at different temperatures and pressures and explains that the data thus collected provide an explanation for the high content of iron isotopes in the rocks that formed in the mantle. comparison with that of the material from which the Solar System was formed
"If this is correct, that means improving our understanding of the core-shell interaction," explains Dr. Charles Lesher, senior author and emeritus professor at UC Davis.e, the results suggest that the iron in the core has leaked into the billions of years," adds Professor Lesher.
"If this is correct, that means improving our understanding of the core-shell interaction," explains Dr. Charles Lesher, senior author and emeritus professor at UC Davis.e, the results suggest that the iron in the core has leaked into the billions of years," adds Professor Lesher.
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| Laurentian University Dr. Michael Lesher |
A striking phenomenon occurs deep within the Earth that a new University of California study has observed. These are the isotopes of iron, which according to the researchers, seem to flow from the outer core of our planet to the lower mantle that covers it. Sputnik tells you the details.
About 2,900 kilometers below our feet they unite the outer core, made up of liquid materials, and the lower section of the mantle. At the transition point from one stratum to another, a drastic temperature change of more than 1,000 degrees occurs.
The study takes into account isotopes, or in other words, they are atoms whose atomic nuclei have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons and therefore have slightly varying masses. Well, as the experts conclude, heavier isotopes of iron migrate at lower temperatures, that is, they rise to the mantle, while the lighter ones go to the core.
The new study suggests heavier iron isotopes migrate toward lower temperatures — and into the mantle — while lighter iron isotopes circulate back down into the core. (Isotopes of the same element have different numbers of neutrons, giving them slightly different masses.) This effect could cause core material infiltrating the lowermost mantle to be enriched in heavy iron isotopes.
About 2,900 kilometers below our feet they unite the outer core, made up of liquid materials, and the lower section of the mantle. At the transition point from one stratum to another, a drastic temperature change of more than 1,000 degrees occurs.
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| Earth's Leaking Core - Online Star Register |
The study takes into account isotopes, or in other words, they are atoms whose atomic nuclei have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons and therefore have slightly varying masses. Well, as the experts conclude, heavier isotopes of iron migrate at lower temperatures, that is, they rise to the mantle, while the lighter ones go to the core.
The new study suggests heavier iron isotopes migrate toward lower temperatures — and into the mantle — while lighter iron isotopes circulate back down into the core. (Isotopes of the same element have different numbers of neutrons, giving them slightly different masses.) This effect could cause core material infiltrating the lowermost mantle to be enriched in heavy iron isotopes.
