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Earth sciences

Earth sciences

Iron atoms in Earth’s inner core are on the move

29 Nov 2023 Isabelle Dumé
Graph showing groups of iron atoms moving rapidly in a model system, changing their place in the metallic lattice while maintaining its overall hexagonal structure
A model of iron atoms on the move in Earth's inner core. The model demonstrates how iron atoms are expected to move about in the Earth’s inner core over 10 picoseconds, or 10 trillionths of a second. (Courtesy: Zhang et al.)
Iron atoms at the centre of the Earth move much faster than was previously thought, say researchers

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