Scientists have uncovered a previously unknown doughnut-shaped region within Earth's outer core, offering new insights into the dynamics of the planet's magnetic field. Located thousands of kilometers beneath the Earth's surface, this doughnut-shaped region lies within the liquid outer core, parallel to the equator and confined to low latitudes.

More than a mere quirk in our planet's internal structure, the doughnut's composition could enhance our understanding of Earth's magnetic field – the shield wrapped around us that protects life on the surface from damaging solar winds and radiation.

The vigorous movement of liquid iron and nickel is what forms the magnetic field, a process driven by temperature differences and, crucially, the presence of light elements such as those in the doughnut.

The Earth itself is composed of two core layers: a solid inner core and a liquid outer core, which is surrounded by the mantle. The newly discovered structure is situated at the top of the outer core, where it meets the mantle.

The discovery was made possible by a novel approach to seismic wave analysis. Rather than relying on traditional methods that focus on signals in the first hour following a seismic event, the scientists analyzed waveforms many hours after the earthquakes. This method allowed them to better measure the internal properties of the core since the waves have time to bounce off boundary structures like echoes in a cave.

Source: Newsweek

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