Something special is happening under our feet. The rotation of the Earth’s inner core does not coincide with the rotation of the Earth’s mantle. This creates a fluctuation that affects the movement of the poles and even the length of our days.
The Earth’s core is the center of our planet. It is a sphere composed mainly of iron and nickel and has a diameter of 2,440 kilometers. It is surrounded by an outer core made of liquid metal. Its thickness is about 2,260 kilometers. The outer core is located under the mantle.
According to the researchers, there is a small difference between the rotation of the inner core and the Earth’s mantle: about 0.17 degrees. They say that the mass in the Earth’s core may not be completely evenly distributed. This is important, because the structure of the Earth, for example, contributes to the length of the day.
There are several factors that can affect the Earth’s rotation time
For example, the rotation of the Earth’s core and mantle can affect the rotation of the entire Earth. This rotation can also affect the magnetic field that protects Earth from cosmic radiation.
Scientists currently assume that the Earth’s rotation time is “constant.” This means that our planet completes a full rotation around its axis every 23 hours, 56 minutes and 4.0916 seconds. One revolution of the Earth is equivalent to one day on this planet.
But there are (small) variations in this running time due to noticeable fluctuation. The atmosphere, seasons, movement of continents, and melting glaciers can also affect the length of the day.
Research into the Earth’s core and mantle has been conducted for decades. But this research has proven difficult. It is impossible to drill 6,000 kilometers to the deepest point in the Earth to search for evidence. Therefore, scientists must rely on data from seismic waves that pass through the center of the Earth.
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