Metal flow in Earth's core reverses under Pacific Ocean

Scientists have detected a significant shift in Earth's deep interior: a large section of the outer core beneath the Pacific Ocean has reversed its flow direction. Instead of the typical westward movement, the molten metal in this region is now flowing strongly eastward. This discovery, based on analysis of satellite data spanning from 1997 to 2025, challenges long-held assumptions about the stability of the planet's core.

The research, led by geophysicist Frederik Dahl Madsen of the University of Edinburgh, utilized measurements of Earth's magnetic field, a key indicator of movements thousands of kilometers below the surface. Previously, scientists believed the flow in the outer core was largely stable and predominantly westward. However, the new findings reveal that around 2010, a substantial area under the Pacific deviated from this pattern. The eastward flow intensified after 2012, peaking around 2020 before showing signs of weakening.

This eastward-flowing region is not a minor anomaly but constitutes about 5% of the outer core's surface flow, described by researchers as a significant "wave" in the molten metal. The exact cause remains unclear, but researchers suspect major internal Earth fluctuations around 2010 may be linked. This period coincided with a disruption in Earth's short-term length-of-day variations and seismic data suggesting changes in the inner core's behavior. Geomagnetic "jerks" recorded in 2017 further hint at chaotic activity deep within the planet.

While experts emphasize that this core flow reversal poses no direct threat to humans, a better understanding of these deep-Earth dynamics is crucial. It can enhance the prediction of magnetic field fluctuations and space weather events, which can impact satellites, global communication systems, and power grids. The study, published in the Journal of Studies of Earth's Deep Interior, indicates that the layers deep within Earth are far more active and intricate than previously realized.