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GS-I : Physical Geography Geomorphology

31 January, 2023
5 Min Read

Earth's Inner Core

According to recent research, the Earth's inner core may currently be revolving slower than the planet's surface after having stopped spinning faster than it.

Findings:

In the early 1970s, the inner core began rotating a little bit more quickly than the rest of the planet. However, it had been slowing before synchronizing with Earth's rotation in 2009.
A "negative trend" has occurred, which indicates that the inner core is currently revolving more slowly than the surface. The next alteration could happen around 2040.
According to the findings, the Earth's deep core typically modifies its rotational speed every 60–70 years.

Reason for rotation:

The inner core may rotate on its own because it floats in the outer core's liquid metal.
The magnetic field produced by the outer core propels the rotation of the inner core, which is counterbalanced by the mantle's gravitational pull.
Through a variety of seismic data, the inner core's rotation is investigated.
Oscillation Cycle: The inner core swings back and forth in relation to the Earth's surface; one cycle lasts for roughly seven decades.
The planet revolves around the core in the same direction at all times (eastward).
It occasionally rotates more quickly than the outer layers, occasionally rotates more slowly, and occasionally the revolutions coincide.
Instead of the 70 years that the most recent study suggested, a new study suggested that the inner core cycle occurs every 20 to 30 years.
The "length of day" is claimed to be slightly impacted by the variations in the rotation timeline.

About Earth’s Interior:

There are four main layers that make up the interior of the Earth:

the crust's outer layer.
the solid, viscous mantle beneath it.
the outer core of liquid iron-nickel.
inner core made of dense iron.

Planet within the planet is the term used to describe Earth's inner core, which is a hot iron ball the size of Pluto.

It is around 3,100 miles (5, 000 km) below the crust.

What are the Earth's Three Layers?

The crust of the earth is composed primarily of basalt and granite and is the outermost layer of the planet.
Mantle: Up to 2900 km thick, it sits underneath the crust. It is made of solid rock that is hot, thick, and rich in iron and magnesium.
The liquid outer core and the solid inner core make up the earth's core, which is its central region. Nickel, iron, and molten rock make up the outer core.

Source: The Indian Express

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Earth's Inner Core

Earth's Inner Core

Findings:

Reason for rotation:

About Earth’s Interior:

Planet within the planet is the term used to describe Earth's inner core, which is a hot iron ball the size of Pluto.

What are the Earth's Three Layers?

India–Azerbaijan

India–Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreem

ADR Report on Political Funding

Maritime Chokepoints

US-Israel-Iran War

DNA

05 Apr,2026

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