Scientists report that they have finally discovered the cause of the mysterious layer of crystal surrounding the Earth’s core. Water seeping from Earth’s surface is thought to interact with the planet’s metallic core, creating this unique layer.
During the 1990s, geologists discovered a thin layer surrounding the Earth’s outer core, known as the E-prime layer. This layer is more than 100 km thick and is located 2,900 km below the Earth’s surface.
Previously, the E layer was thought to have been created by ancient iron-rich magma, or perhaps formed during Earth’s collision with a protoplanet. But a new study indicates that the E layer was formed by water seeping from the Earth’s surface, which interacts with the mineral surface of the outer core.
In laboratory experiments, researchers simulated the interaction of water with the outer core under extreme pressure. It turns out that the hydrogen in the water displaces the silica inside the liquid metal, forcing the silica to come out in the form of crystals. Layer E may have large amounts of silica crystals.
If these results are confirmed, the E layer could be of great importance in understanding how the outer core and mantle interact. Our current understanding is likely incomplete in this regard.
This discovery is another sign that the process of the outer core and mantle interacting with each other still needs further study and exploration. The E layer is supposed to be older than the Earth’s inner core and took more than a billion years to form.
common questions:
What is E-prime class?
The E-prime layer is the thin layer that surrounds the Earth’s outer core and forms part of the planet’s internal structure.
What is the effect of leaking water on the E layer?
The study indicates that the seeping water interacts with the mineral surface of the outer core, which may lead to the formation of silica crystals within the E layer.
What is the difference between previous assumptions and this new discovery?
Previous assumptions were that the E layer was formed from ancient magma or formed during Earth’s collision with another planet. This new discovery indicates that it was formed by the interaction of seeping water with the outer core.
What impact might this discovery have?
This discovery helps better understand the interactions of the outer core and mantle, and may lead to the development of accurate models of the formation of Earth and other planets.
