MELBOURNE The world's biggest iron ore miner Rio Tinto said on Wednesday that it had reopened a rail

A new study into the Earth beneath our feet has discovered that an ancient ocean floor structure could be wrapped around the planet's core which could be taller that Mount Everest in some areas. A brand new high-resolution mapping of the core has uncovered things that scientists previously didn't know according to a study that was first published in April. The discovery found that a thin but dense layer sits at around 2,900 kilometers below the surface at the Core Mantle Boundary where rocks meet the molten outer core of the planet. Geologist Samantha Hansen from the University of Alabama is quoted in the study saying: "Seismic investigations, such as ours, provide the highest resolution imaging of the interior structure of our planet, and we are finding that this structure is vastly more complicated than once thought." She adds: "Our research provides important connections between shallow and deep Earth structure and the overall processes driving our planet.” Hansen and her team conducted the research from 15 different stations in Antarctica by using seismic waves created by Earthquakes to create a map of what the inside of the planet looks like. The team identified the unexpected energy within seconds of the boundary-reflected wave from the seismic data. The findings show that although the layer is very thin it does spread for many, many kilometers and has been called the ultra-low velocity zone (ULVZs) due to its strong wave speed reductions. Due to the properties of the ULVZs the experts believe that the layer could vary dramatically in height. Geophysicist Edward Garnero from Arizona State University adds: "The material's thickness varies from a few kilometers to [tens] of kilometers. This suggests we are seeing mountains on the core, in some places up to five times taller than Mt. Everest." These underground mountains could play a significant role in how heat escapes from the Earth's core and power magnetic fields and volcanic eruptions. The team's studies suggest that the layer could encase all of the core but further research will have to be carried out to determine if that is the case. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

It took an explicit commitment from his Israeli counterpart to open Gaza for humanitarian aid for President Joe Biden to agree to make an extraordinary wartime trip to Tel Aviv.

The one you've been waiting for is here, Sweden and the USWNT suit up to play each other for the seventh time in World Cup history. Here are the keys to success for both teams.This World Cup has been one of the most exciting and surprising tournaments in history, but even with all of the up...

Turkish and international cave rescue experts are working to save a 40-year-old American researcher who became ill and is trapped more than 3,200 feet into a cave in southern Turkey

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Auston Matthews is a star on the ice, and he’s also a beast at NHL video games...especially when he plays against his pal, Justin Bieber.Pop singer Justin Bieber’s love for hockey is no secret. The long-time Toronto Maple Leafs fan has become good friends with Maple Leafs center Aust...

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct 18, 2023--

For Native American students, tribal regalia is often passed down through generations and worn at graduations to signify connection with the community

Do you write down all your passwords in a notebook? Do you keep them in

By Kate Abnett LUXEMBOURG European Union countries' environment ministers struck a deal on Tuesday over a landmark bill

John Sterling, the radio voice of the New York Yankees, was hit by a foul ball during Saturday's game against the Red Sox.John Sterling will not be headed for the injured list, per the legendary 84-year-old Yankees radio voice himself, despite being plunked with a foul ball in the middle of...