A Gravitational Battle Within the Earth Is Changing the Length of Days
A competition between the gravity of the inner core and other forces in the mantle is altering the Earth's rotation.
Scientists have uncovered a fascinating gravitational mechanism within Earth that subtly influences the length of our days over decades. The research, published in Nature, reveals that the inner core's gravity pulls the planet's layers back into alignment with its mass irregularities, subtly altering its spin. According to geophysicist Mathieu Dumberry, while friction between the core and mantle is too weak to transmit forces directly, other interplays between these layers, along with gravity's influence, contribute to the variations.
By analyzing seismic data and models of liquid metal flows in the outer core from 1964 to 2019, the researchers found that the gravitational model accurately captured the timing and magnitude of the observed changes in Earth's rotation. Although other factors likely play a role, this gravitational tug-of-war between the inner core and the mantle emerges as a key driver in the subtle shifts in our planet's spin.
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