Dan Shim News Today

Scientists have long looked for an explanation for a mysterious zone in the outer core. Now some think it could be due to water leaking from the surface.

Water from Earth's surface can find its way deep into the planet, and new research explains how it changes the outermost region of the metallic liquid core.

Since its formation billions of years ago, Earth's tectonic plates have been transporting water to lower mantle through subduction zones.

<p>A new study has revealed that water from the Earth's surface can penetrate deep into the planet, altering the composition of the outermost region of the metallic liquid core and creating a distinct, thin layer. Illustration of silica crystals coming out from the liquid metal of the Earth's outer core due to a water-induced chemical reaction.</p>

Crushing and blasting rocks in the lab helps scientists re-create the high pressure, scorching hot conditions of unreachably deep portions of planets.