Enigmatic E Prime Layer Discovered in Earth’s Core

An international team of researchers, including scientists from Arizona State University (ASU), has uncovered a mysterious layer, known as the E prime layer, at the outermost part of Earth’s core. This discovery is attributed to the penetration of surface water deep into the planet, leading to alterations in the composition of the metallic liquid core’s outermost region.

Understanding Earth’s Internal Mechanisms

Earth is composed of four primary layers: the inner core, outer core, mantle, and crust. The research, published in Nature Geoscience, challenges the previous belief that material exchange between the core and mantle is minimal. The experiments reveal that when water reaches the core-mantle boundary, it reacts with silicon in the core, resulting in the formation of silica.

Development of the E Prime Layer Over Time

• The study suggests that tectonic plates transporting surface water have carried it deep into Earth over billions of years.
• Upon reaching the core-mantle boundary, water undergoes chemical changes, leading to the formation of a hydrogen-rich, silicon-depleted layer at the outer core, resembling a film-like structure.
• Silica crystals generated by this process ascend and blend into the mantle, impacting the overall composition of Earth’s layers.

Implications and Insights

The modifications in the liquid metallic layer could potentially result in reduced density and altered seismic characteristics, aligning with anomalies detected by seismologists. This discovery enhances our comprehension of Earth’s internal mechanisms, indicating a broader and more intricate global water cycle than previously acknowledged. The transformed layer in the core holds significant implications for interconnected geochemical processes linking surface water cycles with the deep metallic core.

Sophisticated Experimental Methods

The research involved sophisticated experimental methods conducted at the Advanced Photon Source of Argonne National Lab and PETRA III of Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron in Germany. These methods aimed to recreate the extreme conditions observed at the core-mantle boundary, providing valuable insights into Earth’s complex internal processes.

Month: Current Affairs - November, 2023

Category: Science & Technology Current Affairs