Science Current Events | Science News | Brightsurf.com
 
Email a Friend Send to a friend
Printer Friendly Print Unexpected discovery about earth's core

Unexpected discovery about earth's core

August 29, 2003

The core of the earth doesn't look the way it was expected to. Scientists at the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden , KTH, can now show that iron, under extremely high pressure, such as that found in the inner earth, takes on unexpected properties, and this can be of importance in understanding the movements of the earth, such as, earthquakes. The results are being presented in the new issue of the British scientific journal Nature.

The core of the earth consists almost exclusively of iron. The iron atoms in a piece of iron, in room temperature, are packed according to a certain structure, in this case called body centered cubic or bcc. This means the atoms are relatively sparsely packed. When the piece of iron is exposed to greater pressure, the iron atoms place themselves differently in relation to each other and take on another kind of structure, so-called hexagonal close packed, or hcp. The become more densely packed, which seems natural, and it has long been assumed that the higher the temperature and pressure iron is exposed to, the more stable the hpc structure will be. Researchers from the department KTH Materials Science maintain, however, that this not the case. With the help of computer simulations, they have now shown that iron, unexpectedly, reverts to bcc structure at extreme temperatures and pressures. Exactly why this occurs is the next question for science to tackle.




Research into the inner parts of the earth has enjoyed a great boom over the last few years, largely owing to the fact that equipment has not been available until today to simulate the conditions down there. It is pure research, and the discoveries are thus far difficult to evaluate in terms of money or practical applications, but it might be possible to use increased knowledge of the construction of the earth in geology to understand the significance of the core of the earth in earthquakes or volcano eruptions.

Vetenskapsrådet (The Swedish Research Council)



Related Earthquake Current Events and Earthquake News Articles Earthquake Current Events and Earthquake News RSS Earthquake Current Events and Earthquake News RSS
On the crest of wave energy
The ocean is a potentially vast source of electric power, yet as engineers test new technologies for capturing it, the devices are plagued by battering storms, limited efficiency, and the need to be tethered to the seafloor.

Deep creep means milder, more frequent earthquakes along Southern California's San Jacinto fault
With an average of four mini-earthquakes per day, Southern California's San Jacinto fault constantly adjusts to make it a less likely candidate for a major earthquake than its quiet neighbor to the east, the Southern San Andreas fault, according to an article in the journal Nature Geoscience.

Global challenges and opportunities in fighting HIV/AIDS and neglected diseases
Responding to the HIV/AIDS pandemic and tackling so-called neglected tropical diseases are the focus of the November/December 2009 edition of Health Affairs.

Fortuitous research provides first detailed documentation of tsunami erosion
Tsunamis are among the most-devastating natural calamities. These earthquake-generated waves can quickly engulf low-lying land and bring widespread destruction and death. They can deposit sand and debris far inland from where they came ashore.

West Antarctic ice sheet may not be losing ice as fast as once thought
New ground measurements made by the West Antarctic GPS Network (WAGN) project, composed of researchers from The University of Texas at Austin, The Ohio State University, and The University of Memphis, suggest the rate of ice loss of the West Antarctic ice sheet has been slightly overestimated.

Tsunami evacuation buildings: another way to save lives in the Pacific Northwest
Some time soon, a powerful earthquake will trigger a massive tsunami that will flood the Pacific Northwest, destroying homes and threatening the lives of tens of thousands of people, says Yumei Wang, a geotechnical engineer at the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries in Portland.

Satellite data look behind the scenes of deadly earthquake
Using satellite radar data and GPS measurements, Chinese researchers have explained the exceptional geological events leading to the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake that killed nearly 90 000 people in China's Sichuan Province.

Scientists obtain rocks moving into seismogenic zone
An international group of scientists aboard the Deep-Sea Drilling Vessel CHIKYU, operated by the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) for the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP), return from a 40-day scientific expedition off the shore of the Kii Peninsula, Japan on Oct. 10, 2009.

San Andreas affected by 2004 Sumatran quake
U.S. seismologists have found evidence that the massive 2004 earthquake that triggered killer tsunamis throughout the Indian Ocean weakened at least a portion of California's famed San Andreas Fault.

Plastic surgeons should be part of disaster relief planning, response
When a terrorist bomb explodes, a tornado rips through a town, a hurricane devastates a region, or wildfires ravage homes and businesses, plastic surgeons are not typically atop the list of emergency responders.
More Earthquake Current Events and Earthquake News Articles
Earthquake

Earthquake
Starring: Charlton Heston, Ava Gardner, George Kennedy, Lorne Greene, Geneviève Bujold
Directed By: Mark Robson
Also With: Philip H. Lathrop (Cinematographer), Mark Robson (Producer), Dorothy Spencer (Editor), Bernard Donnenfeld (Producer), Jennings Lang (Producer), George Fox (Writer), Mario Puzo (Writer)

Charlton Heston leads an all-star cast in an epic film about ordinary citizens who must come together in the face of an unstoppable natural disaster! When the most catastrophic earthquake of all time rips through Southern California, it levels Los Angeles and sends shockwaves through the lives of all who live there. Now strangers must become heroes as the city struggles to get to its feet before the next terrifying aftershock hits! Also starring Ava Gardner, George Kennedy, Lorne Greene, Victoria Principal, Genevieve Bujold and Richard Roundtree, Earthquake combines outstanding performances with Academy Award-winning sound and groundbreaking special effects.

Earthquakes

Earthquakes
by Seymour Simon (Author)

Exceptional nonfiction for children from two of the most trusted names in science education: Seymour Simon and the Smithsonian Institution.



One Night Stand: Earthquake

One Night Stand: Earthquake
Directed By: Steven J. Santos, John Fortenberry, David Grossman (III), Robin Shlien, Sue Wolf

He?s big. He?s bad. And in the world of standup, Earthquake is a major force to be reckoned with.You?ve seen him on ?Premium Blend? and ?Mad TV.? Now see Earthquake set off comic tremors in front of an appreciative New York audience for a special One Night Stand performance. Commenting on real-life experiences and commonsense observations, Earthquake will draw you into his world?and shake you up with the explosiveness of his humor.

Platinum Comedy Series - Earthquake - About Got Damm Time

Platinum Comedy Series - Earthquake - About Got Damm Time
Starring: Earthquake
Directed By: Leslie Small
Also With: Earthquake (Producer), Walter Glover Jr. (Cinematographer), Leslie Small (Producer), Hector H. Kron (Editor), Janis Woody (Producer), Jeff Clanagan (Producer)

Platinum Comedy Series is the #1 stand up comedy DVD series in the country with over 1 million units sold! It is a series of live in concert comedy performances by fresh, talented performers.

Earthquakes (reillustrated) (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2)

Earthquakes (reillustrated) (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2)
by Franklyn M. Branley (Author), Megan Lloyd (Illustrator)

Read and find out about one of nature's most mysterious forces—the earthquake. Some earthquakes are so small that you don't even feel them, while others can make even big buildings shake! Learn why earthquakes happen, where they are most likely to occur, and what to do if one happens near you.



Nature Tech - Earthquakes (History Channel)

Nature Tech - Earthquakes (History Channel)
Starring: Artist Not Provided

This explores the evolution of 21st century seismic technology to see what advancements are being made to assist seismologists & other researchers in the race to prevent the next earthshaking disaster. Studio: A&e Home Video Release Date: 04/24/2007

Survival Kit Deluxe Emergency Disaster Preparedness 72 Hour Backpack Kits for Home, Work or Auto: 2 Person

Survival Kit Deluxe Emergency Disaster Preparedness 72 Hour Backpack Kits for Home, Work or Auto: 2 Person
by SurvivalKitsOnline

All items are packed securely in our Deluxe Hikers Backpack which contains extra space available for your personal items Food & Water: 24 - Pouches of Datrex Water - twice the amount of water as leading suppliers & each pouch has a 5 year shelf-life 24 - 200 Calorie Food Bars - 5 year shelf-life Light & Communication: Am/Fm Radio with Headphones & Batteries Rechargeable Squeeze Flashlight - contains lithium batteries which last up to 30 hours & also is able to generate power through squeezing 30-Hour Emergency Candle - can also be used as a stove 5-in-1 Survival Whistle - compass, signal mirror, flint starter, waterproof container,lanyard & shrill whistle Green Emergency Glow sticks that last for 24 hours (unlike most others which last only 12) Box of 50 Waterproof Matches Bic Style...

Earthquake

Earthquake
Starring: Charlton Heston, Ava Gardner, George Kennedy, Lorne Greene, Geneviève Bujold
Directed By: Mark Robson
Also With: Philip H. Lathrop (Cinematographer), Mark Robson (Producer), Dorothy Spencer (Editor), Bernard Donnenfeld (Producer), Jennings Lang (Producer), George Fox (Writer), Mario Puzo (Writer)

The disaster-movie trend of the early and mid-1970s was starting to wear out its welcome when Earthquake was released in 1974. It’s another one of those enjoyably mindless all-star marathons, and the title tells you all you need to know about the plot. Charlton Heston offers his trademark brand of macho courage as the citizens of Los Angeles brace for the Big One--an earthquake that rattles the city to its crumbling foundation. It's got all the sophistication of a Love Boat episode, but the movie's momentum scores high marks (at least on the Richter scale), and the Oscar-winning sound design and special visual effects are still impressive, especially when you consider that advanced computer-graphics effects were still two decades in the future. Genevieve Bujold adds a touch of class to...

Volcano  &  Earthquake (DK Eyewitness Books)

Volcano & Earthquake (DK Eyewitness Books)
by Susanna van Rose (Author)

The most trusted nonfiction series on the market, Eyewitness Books provide an in-depth, comprehensive look at their subjects with a unique integration of words and pictures.

DK's classic look at volcanoes and earthquakes, now reissued with a CD and wall chart.

Nova: Earthquake the Science Behind the Shake

Nova: Earthquake the Science Behind the Shake
Starring: Nova
Directed By: n/a

Included in this three disk set are: Earthquake, Killer Quake and

© 2009 BrightSurf.com