Earth’s inner core is an astonishingly hot sphere of solid iron and nickel, with temperatures reaching nearly 5,400°C (9,800°F)—comparable to the surface of the Sun

Deep beneath our feet, Earth’s inner core is an astonishingly hot sphere of solid iron and nickel, with temperatures reaching nearly 5,400°C (9,800°F)—comparable to the surface of the Sun. Despite such extreme heat, the core remains solid due to the immense pressure from the overlying layers of Earth, which prevents the atoms from moving freely into a liquid state. Surrounding this solid inner core is a molten outer core, where temperatures are slightly cooler but still intense enough to keep metals in a liquid form.

This outer core plays a critical role in generating Earth’s magnetic field through a process known as the geodynamo. The movement of molten iron creates electric currents, which in turn produce magnetic forces that shield our planet from harmful solar radiation. Without this protective magnetic field, life on Earth would be exposed to dangerous cosmic rays. Thus, Earth’s blazing hot core not only mirrors the Sun’s surface temperature but also sustains the protective systems essential for life.

The Knowledge Factory