Seismic Refraction | Topics

Earth’s ‘solid’ inner core may contain both mushy and hard iron

Scientists have discovered a heterogeneous structure in the Earth's inner core, with adjacent regions of hard, soft, and liquid iron alloys. This finding challenges traditional models of the planet's magnetic field generation and provides new insights into the dynamics at the boundary between the inner and outer core.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalPhysics of The Earth and Planetary Interiors·TypeObservational study·DateOct 5, 2021

Giant lava dome confirmed in Japan's Kikai Caldera

Researchers from Kobe University confirm a giant lava dome created 7300 years ago in Japan's Kikai Caldera, with a volume of over 32 cubic kilometers. The composition of the dome matches that of nearby Satsuma Iwo-jima Island, suggesting a possible current magma buildup.

SourceKobe University·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 9, 2018

Mysterious menominee crack is unusual geological pop-up feature

Researchers studying a massive crack in the ground near Menominee, Michigan, have discovered it's likely a rare geological phenomenon known as a 'pop-up' feature. The team used seismic refraction techniques to confirm the formation of the feature, which is believed to be caused by stress in ancient limestone rock.

SourceSeismological Society of America·JournalSeismological Research Letters·DateFeb 9, 2016