Heavy Iron Isotopes Leaking From Earth's Core (IMAGE)
Caption
Earth's molten core may be leaking iron, according to researchers at UC Davis and Aarhus University, Denmark. The new study suggests heavier iron isotopes migrate toward lower temperatures -- and into the mantle -- while lighter iron isotopes circulate back down into the core. This effect could cause core material infiltrating the lowermost mantle to be enriched in heavy iron isotopes.
Credit
L. O'Dwyer Brown, Aarhus University
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