New insights solve 300-year-old problem: The dynamics of Earth's core
Monday, September 16, 2013 - 17:00
in Earth & Climate
Scientists have solved a 300-year-old riddle about which direction the center of Earth spins. Earth's inner core, made up of solid iron, 'superrotates' in an eastward direction -- meaning it spins faster than the rest of the planet -- while the outer core, comprising mainly molten iron, spins westwards at a slower pace.