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Earth's dynamic interior

Researchers have developed new simulations that depict the dynamics of deep Earth, revealing a complex composition of the lowermost part of the mantle. The study suggests that mantle plumes can carry a combination of different materials from several reservoirs, explaining observations of hotspot lavas' chemical complexity.

SourceArizona State University·JournalNature Geoscience·DateMar 30, 2014

International team of physicists makes discovery about temperature in convection

An international team of physicists has made a groundbreaking discovery about the temperature profile in convection, which occurs in boiling liquids and turbulent movement of the Earth's outer core. The findings echo an important discovery from 1930 by Theodore von Kármán and Ludwig Prandtl, known as the Law of the Wall.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 17, 2012

Researchers create 'MRI' of the sun's interior motions

Researchers have created an 'MRI' of the Sun's interior plasma motions, revealing that convective motions are approximately 100 times slower than previously projected. This challenges existing theories on heat transport and magnetic field generation, requiring a re-evaluation of sunspot formation and solar dynamics.

SourceNew York University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 9, 2012

The turbulent lives of stars

Researchers have detected stellar oscillations in a hotter star, revealing insights into its internal structure and composition. The discovery was made possible by the Kepler space telescope and provides new information on the processes that govern stellar behavior.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature·DateSep 15, 2011