Earth's Core as Hot as Sun's Surface

New study puts it at nearly 11K degrees Fahrenheit
By Mark Russell,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 26, 2013 3:20 PM CDT
Earth's Core as Hot as Sun's Surface
New research indicates the Earth's core is hotter than previously thought.   (Shutterstock)

For two decades, scientists have thought the Earth's solid core was a balmy 9,000 degrees Fahrenheit or so, based on the temperature at which iron crystallizes when under high pressure. But new research using X-rays to examine iron under huge amounts of pressure indicate the real temperature of the core is closer to 10,800 degrees—about the same as the surface of the sun, reports the BBC. The findings from the French research team are outlined in Science. (More Earth stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X