Researchers reveal new insights into the internal processes of planet Earth. 
Hélder Lopes meteorized Portugal November 23rd, 2023 1:00 p.m. 5 min
Researchers from Arizona State University (Arizona, USA) and Yonsei University (Seoul, South Korea) presented in an article for Nature Geoscience the results of research that contribute to the understanding of the Earth’s internal processes.
This research led by scientists at Arizona State University’s School of Earth and Space Exploration revealed important results on the interaction between water on the surface of planet Earth and the core. The study shows that water traveled deep into the planet via tectonic plates for more than a billion years. This triggers a chemical reaction that changes the outer layer of the metallic liquid core.
Deep interaction at the core-mantle boundary
The researchers, led by Dan Shim, Taehyun Kim and Joseph O’Rourke, conducted high-pressure experiments, evidence that water from the subducted crust chemically reacts with core material when it reaches the core-mantle boundary, approximately 2896 kilometers below the earth’s surface. This reaction results in the formation of a hydrogen-rich layer without silicon. This changes the structure of the core by creating a thin, distinct layer.
The modified fluid layer is predicted to be less dense and have lower seismic velocities, consistent with anomalous features mapped by seismologists. These results challenge the previous notion of limited material exchange between the core and mantle. This suggests a more complex global water cycle than previously thought.
Geologists reveal surface water is changing Earth’s outer core https://t.co/2iRsUKxA7D
— Newsweek (@Newsweek) November 15, 2023
Dan Shim says: “For years It was assumed that the exchange of material between the Earth’s core and mantle was minimal. However, recent research has revealed a different story.”
Global water cycle and geochemical implications
Research promotes understanding of the Earth’s internal processes, This suggests a more extensive global water cycle. The “modification” of the core not only affects the geochemical cycles that connect the surface water to the deep metal core, but it also suggests a dynamic interaction between the core and the mantle, with extensive material exchange.
“These results, combined with our previous observation of diamonds formed by the reaction of water with carbon in liquid iron under extreme pressure, suggest a much more dynamic core-mantle interaction, suggesting material-intensive exchange.”
Dan Shim, a professor in the School of Earth and Space Exploration at Arizona State University
The research was conducted by an international team of geoscientists using advanced experimental techniques at the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Lab and PETRA III at the German Electron Synchrotron in Germany. These installations were crucial in reproducing the extreme conditions at the core-mantle boundary. This allows direct observation of water-induced chemical and structural changes.
We now know that this groundbreaking evidence not only changes the understanding of Earth’s internal geodynamic processes, But also emphasize the importance of advanced research and international collaborations to unlock the deep mysteries of our planet.
The global water cycle is now considered to be more complex than expected. promises to stimulate medium and long-term research into the connections between the earth’s surface and the deeper layers that shape our planet.