New idea tackles Earth core puzzle

BBC ^ | 9 July 2013 Last updated at 08:27 ET Share this pageEmail Print | Simon Redfern

[LukeL]

Al Gore told us that the core is millions of degrees.

[Little Pig]

It is. Since the outer core is more liquid, as it cools it precipitates material which (being denser) then “rains” down to the solid inner core. It sounds weird, but only if you’ve forgotten that pressure and temperature can be interchangeable.

[null and void]

Nickel-iron? Maybe. Id’ venture that the really dense stuff crowds it out.

I’m going with a gold-tungsten-uranium core...

[moose07]

I’m going with a gold-tungsten-uranium core... and a lot of Iron.

Fred Flintstones old Bowling Balls?

[null and void]

Well, yes, iron outer core, inner core, denser stuff...

[Berlin_Freeper]

Infographic: 50 Unbelievable Facts About Earth

[Rodamala]

Actually using a mysterious substance named “unobtainium”... my God, thats a riot.

[count-your-change]

Don’t be makin’ fun of Tarzan! Just look at the kind of people he had to deal with!

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks BenLurkin.

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[LZ_Bayonet]

" it precipitates material which (being denser) then “rains” down to the solid inner core"

"Trillion Dollar Coins"!

[JRios1968]

But the stuff that the core is made from remains a longstanding unresolved problem.