New Research Reveals Helium-3’s Secrets in Earth’s Core
Recent studies suggest that helium-3, a rare isotope formed during the early solar system, may be trapped within Earth’s solid core. This groundbreaking discovery could shed light on the planet’s formation timeline. Unlike the more common helium-4, helium-3 originates from the primordial gas cloud that created the solar system. While traces of this isotope have been found in volcanic hotspots and mid-ocean ridges, the reasons for its long-term retention remain unclear.
Helium’s Interaction with Iron Under Extreme Conditions
A team of researchers from the University of Tokyo, led by Kei Hirose, conducted a study published in Physical Review Letters to explore the interaction between helium and iron under conditions that replicate Earth’s core. The researchers utilized a diamond-tipped anvil to apply extreme pressures, ranging from 50,000 to 550,000 times the atmospheric pressure at the Earth’s surface. They heated samples of iron and helium to temperatures between 727 and 2,727 degrees Celsius before depressurizing and analyzing them at cryogenic temperatures to prevent helium from escaping. The findings revealed that solid iron could incorporate up to 3.3 percent helium, indicating that helium-3 may remain trapped in the core for extended periods.
Implications for Understanding Earth’s Formation
Geophysicist Peter Olson from the University of New Mexico commented on the significance of these findings, confirming helium’s compatibility with Earth’s solid core. However, he pointed out that only 4 percent of the core is solid, with the majority existing in a liquid state. This raises questions about whether helium-3 could also be retained in the liquid portion of the core. Olson emphasized that this discovery could have profound implications for dating Earth’s formation. If helium-3 is indeed incorporated into the core, it suggests that the planet formed rapidly, within just a few million years. In contrast, a slower formation process spanning 100 million years would likely have resulted in minimal helium retention.
Future Research Directions
The study opens new avenues for research into the behavior of helium-3 within Earth’s core and its implications for planetary formation. Further investigations are necessary to determine the retention mechanisms of helium-3 in both solid and liquid states. Understanding these processes could provide valuable insights into the early history of Earth and the dynamics of its core. As researchers continue to explore the mysteries of helium-3, the findings may reshape our understanding of planetary formation and the evolution of the solar system.
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