Research

The critical moment in the evolution of the Earth: the core of the planet is much younger than itself

If you imagine that the Earth began its life asgradually growing rock, it is logical to assume that the core is the oldest part of the planet. At the moment it consists of two parts: a solid iron-nickel core and a hot liquid, which is involved in the creation of the geomagnetic field. Scientists assumed that the hard part was formed about 2.5 billion years ago, but ancient crystals showed that solidification occurred much later. The new discovery greatly changes the idea of ​​the evolution of the planet.

Scientists from the University of Rochester announced thatEarth’s solid core was formed just 565 million years ago. This is evidenced by the ancient crystals obtained in the Sept-Il complex in Quebec. Inside them there are magnetic needles that store a record of the state of the magnetic field of the planet at the time when they were enclosed inside the mineral. It was found that about 565 million years ago, the magnetic field of the Earth was extremely weak, and was on the verge of extinction.

The study showed that it was at that critical moment that a solid core was formed. It stabilized the magnetic field and saved the planet from destructive cosmic radiation.

The field did not collapse because the inner core began to grow and provided a new source of energy for the formation of geodynamics, ”explained John Tarduno, one of the authors of the study.

Researchers assure that their theory is supportedcomputer models, but extra work is needed for full confirmation. The study helps not only to better understand the history of the Earth, but also to search for exoplanets.

Same factors that set in motionconductive fluids on Earth can affect magnetic shielding on exoplanets. Perhaps some planets do not have such a magnetic field as ours, which means the atmosphere and water are simply absent in them, the researcher explained.

Scientists are constantly making interesting discoveries. For example, they recently discovered that the oldest stone on Earth is currently on the surface of our satellite, the Moon.

Want to read more news about science and technology? Be sure to subscribe to our channel in Yandex.Dzen, where we write daily materials that are not on the site!