New study reveals that Earth's inner core is undergoing unexpected structural changes, challenging long-held assumptions about its solidity.

Researchers found evidence that the Earth's inner core is changing shape, suggesting unseen processes affecting its movement over time.

Earth’s core is located below the middle layer called the mantle and the outer layer –or crust. It consists of two main parts–a liquid outer core and a more solid inner core. The outer layer is made of liquid iron-nickel and is responsible for producing Earth’s magnetic field.

A new study shows that the inner core changed shape in just a few decades, challenging previous assumptions and revealing hidden dynamics deep within Earth.

Scientists of course cannot cut into Earth and directly observe its insides. Instead, their knowledge is inferred from the vibrations generated by earthquakes that pass through the planet. The speed and the direction of the seismic vibrations change depending on the density and the elasticity of the rocks.