Get the latest Science News and Discoveries

An Orbiting Satellite Triad Reveals Motions Inside Earth


Our planet's liquid iron outer core is slowly giving up its secrets to a trio of satellites launched by ESA in 2013. Called Swarm, the three probes have been studying Earth's magnetic field at the source. In the process, they've revealed startling changes in a molten layer region 2,200 kilometers beneath the Pacific Ocean. In 2010, material in that area of Earth's outer core changed direction. Insteading of moving slowly westward, it's now headed east and picking up speed. Scientists are working to figure out why by using the European Space Agency's (ESA) Swarm data and additional information from ESA's CryoSat mission and ground-based instruments.

None

Get the Android app

Or read this on Universe Today

Read more on:

Photo of Earth

Earth

Photo of motions

motions

Related news:

News photo

Earth’s orbital wobble triggered rapid climate chaos during the dinosaur age

News photo

Humanity has already exceeded Earth’s limits, study warns

News photo

JWST Reveals A Star-Scorched Mercury-Like Planet That's Bigger Than Earth