Recent research indicates that the Earth’s inner core has experienced changes in shape over the last two decades. This deformation, particularly at the edges, may be attributed to interactions with the liquid outer core and surrounding gravitational forces. According to a report by the BBC, Professor John Vidale, who led the study, noted: “The inner core was previously believed to be spherical, but it seems that in some regions, its edges may have deformed by 100 million meters or more in height.” […] The team’s analysis focused on seismic wave patterns generated by earthquakes that occurred in the same region between 1991 and 2023, revealing insights into the inner core’s gradual transformation. Professor Vidale, an earth scientist at the University of Southern California, highlighted that evidence suggests the inner core experienced a slowdown around 2010. Furthermore, researchers discovered indications of its changing shape, particularly at the boundary where the inner core nears its melting point. This deformation may result from the flow of liquid in the outer core combined with variations in gravitational pull. Professor Hrvoje Tkalcic from the Australian National University stated that these findings could enhance scientists’ ability to estimate crucial material properties, such as the viscosity of the inner core, one of the least understood aspects of modern science.

The full research is available in the scientific journal Nature Geoscience.