3 facts
Explore Earth's solid inner core, a superheated iron-nickel sphere under immense pressure. Uncover its secrets and vital role in our planet's geology.
Despite the extreme heat of Earth's core, reaching temperatures of approximately 5,200 Kelvin (about 9,392 °F or 5,200 °C), the planet's mantle and crust act as insulators, keeping the surface cool enough for life. The core's immense pressure also keeps its iron and nickel in a solid state.
Scientists estimate the temperature of Earth's solid iron-nickel inner core to be around 5,200 degrees Celsius (9,392 degrees Fahrenheit). This extreme heat is a remnant from the planet's formation and ongoing radioactive decay.
Studies suggest the solid inner core spins slightly faster than Earth's mantle and crust, gaining about 0.08 to 0.1 degrees of longitude annually. This differential rotation is influenced by the magnetic field generated in the liquid outer core.
