The Earth’s core is not entirely molten. The outer core is molten (liquid metal), but the inner core is solid due to immense pressure. It is made mostly of iron and nickel, and it has two main layers:
- The outer core is liquid because it is extremely hot, reaching temperatures over 4,000–6,000°C (7,200–10,800°F). The flowing metal in this layer creates Earth’s magnetic field, which protects us from harmful solar radiation.
- The inner core, despite being even hotter, remains solid because of the immense pressure from the layers above. This pressure keeps the iron and nickel tightly packed, preventing them from melting.
Scientists cannot directly see the core, but they study it using seismic waves from earthquakes. These waves travel differently through liquid and solid layers, helping researchers understand the Earth’s deep structure.
So, while part of the core is molten, the inner core stays solid, showing how temperature and pressure work together deep inside our planet!
