In the center of the Earth, a large area of solid metal swells slightly. This is an internal core, and scientists have recently discovered intriguing evidence suggesting that its birth half a billion years ago may have played a significant role in the evolution of life on Earth.
At the time, the Earth’s magnetic field was precarious – and that would have serious consequences, they argue. This field usually protects the extra life by expelling cosmic rays and charging particles from our sun.
But 550m ago, it dropped to part of its current strength – before regaining its power. And in the aftermath of this planet’s resumption, the Earth saw an abrupt increase in the complex life-form of many cells on its surface. This was a Cambrian explosion, during which large groups of large animals appeared for the first time in fossil history, and scientists have now linked them to events in the center of the Earth.
Our planet has circles. A 5-70km thick layer of rock covers the Earth like an egg shell. This is called a crust; underneath it is a cloth made of a layer of silicates of 3,000km. Above the bottom is an outer core made of molten metal; inside it is another globe – solid metal. It is over 2,000km wide and grows about a millimeter per year.
Our planet has circles. A 5-70km thick layer of rock covers the Earth like an egg shell. This is called a crust; underneath it is a cloth made of a layer of silicates of 3,000km. Above the bottom is an outer core made of molten metal; inside it is another globe – solid metal. It is over 2,000km wide and grows about a millimeter per year.
Then the core began to harden at its heart, which had far-reaching effects. Primarily turbocharged movement on the outer surface restores energy to the planet’s magnetic field. “Our research shows that the formation of the inner turmoil began about 550m ago and that happened just before the Cambrian eruption,” Tarduno said.
Why and how the inner core was born was a mystery. From its humble beginnings half a billion years ago, it has grown into a solid metal circle the size of a moon. It is the most ironic place on Earth and has profoundly affected surface conditions.
