Despite decades of research, scientists remain divided about many of the processes taking place beneath our planet’s surface, including details about the churning of molten metals in the Earth’s core which creates the magnetic field that protects the planet from deadly solar radiation. Two massive formations of incredibly hot molten rock the size of continents are lurking underneath Earth’s... 

A team of Japanese scientists claim that they have solved one of Earth’s biggest mysteries: the third element that makes up the planet’s inner core. The Tohoku University researchers claim that silicon is the most likely candidate, based on the results of their research. Earth’s inner core is widely believed to be composed of 85 percent iron and 10 percent nickel, but the material comprising...