Earth's Inner Core Found to Shift Shape and Rotation

New research reveals the inner core's surface is deforming and its rotation has slowed, challenging long-held assumptions about Earth's core dynamics.

• Scientists have discovered that Earth's inner core undergoes structural deformation at its surface, contradicting the long-standing belief that it is a solid sphere.
• The findings were based on seismic data from 121 repeating earthquakes recorded between 1991 and 2024, with key observations made at seismic stations in Canada and Alaska.
• The deformation is likely caused by interactions with the turbulent molten outer core, marking the first time such changes have been observed on human timescales.
• These changes in the inner core's behavior could affect Earth's magnetic field, which shields the planet from solar radiation, and may slightly alter the length of a day.
• The study opens new avenues for understanding Earth's internal dynamics and their implications for planetary processes, such as rotation and thermal evolution.

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