Archive · 18 Jun 2025
Scientists Find Flowing Rock Deep Beneath Earth's Surface
Scientists have found that deep inside the Earth, about 2,700km down, the rock isn't still.
Instead, it's moving like water boiling in a pot, even though it's solid rock.
This movement is caused by something called convection currents.
They figured this out by studying a special layer in the Earth called the D' layer and by crushing tiny bits of rock in a lab to match the pressure and heat deep down.
This discovery can help scientists better understand what makes volcanoes erupt, why earthquakes happen, and even how the Earth's magnetic field works.
Scientists discovered that solid rock is in constant motion deep inside the Earth.
The discovery was made at a depth of 2,700km below the surface.
Researchers found that the rock in the D' layer moves on convection currents.
Scientists used experiments to replicate conditions in the Earth's mantle.
The findings could help explain the forces behind volcanoes, earthquakes, and the Earth's magnetic field.
- Who
- Scientists from ETH Zurich, led by Professor Motohiko Murakami.
- What
- Scientists discovered solid rock in constant motion deep inside the Earth.
- When
- Not explicitly stated.
- Where
- 2,700km beneath the Earth's surface, in the D' layer.
- Why
- To better understand the Earth's internal activity and the forces behind natural phenomena like volcanoes and earthquakes.
- Depth of Discovery
- 2,700km
- Layer Studied
- D' layer
- Rock Type
- Solid rock
- Rock's Behavior
- Moves on convection currents
- Lead Researcher
- Professor Motohiko Murakami