Scientists Baffled as Earth's Mysterious Core Leaks

2023-10-22 06:41:21

Earth's Mysterious Core Appears to Be Leaking, Leaving Scientists Baffled

A study of ancient lava flows in the Arctic has revealed high levels of a specific type of helium, suggesting that the Earth's core may be "leaking" the rare gas. This discovery challenges the previous belief that the core is sealed away. Scientists are now puzzled by the source of this helium and what it could mean for our understanding of the Earth's interior.

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Uncovering a Clue into the Earth's Insides

Scientists have found unusually high levels of helium-3 (³He) in 62-million-year-old lava flows on Baffin Island. Typically, ³He found in rocks is believed to come from the bombardment of solar radiation during the early stages of the Earth. However, the abundance of this rare isotope in the Baffin Island rocks suggests a different origin.

The ³He/⁴He Ratio: A Surprising Discovery

The Earth's mantle, which constantly generates and consumes lava, is the likely source of the ³He found in most rocks. However, the levels of ³He detected in the Baffin Island lava exceed what is expected from the mantle alone. This finding challenges the assumption that the core and outer layers of the Earth are geologically isolated. Scientists are now questioning whether other elements may also leak from the core and when this migration occurred.

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Implications and Further Research

This discovery suggests that the deep Earth is more dynamic than previously thought, with elements moving between the metallic core and rocky parts of the planet. Scientists are now eager to investigate the implications of this finding and determine if other elements are also escaping from the core. The study was published in the peer-reviewed journal Nature.

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