Earth's outer core is a fluid layer about 2,260 km (1,400 mi) thick, composed of mostly iron and nickel that lies above Earth's solid inner core and below its mantle. [1][2][3] The outer core …

Aug 1, 2023 · The outer core spans from 2,900 to about 5,150 km deep. The convection currents within this liquid layer create the Earth’s magnetosphere through a dynamo effect.

Jun 5, 2025 · The core is made of two layers: the outer core, which borders the mantle, and the inner core. The boundary separating these regions is called the Bullen discontinuity.

Nov 7, 2025 · It is a low-viscosity fluid layer that plays a unique role in the planet’s structure and function. The outer core is primarily composed of a molten iron-nickel alloy. Its measured …

The outer core is located at depths ranging from approximately 2,889 kilometers to 5,150 kilometers below the surface. This layer is about 2,260 kilometers thick, situated above the …

Jun 21, 2025 · The Earth’s outer core is primarily composed of liquid iron, alloyed with nickel and trace amounts of lighter elements like sulfur, silicon, oxygen, and potassium. This liquid iron …

The outer core is primarily composed of liquid iron and nickel, along with lighter elements like sulfur and oxygen, making it fluid under extreme pressure and temperature.

Mar 9, 2009 · Without the outer core, life on Earth would be very different. Scientists believe that convection of liquid metals in the outer core create the Earth's magnetic field.

Jul 21, 2025 · The outer core is a roiling, molten ocean of metal, mostly iron with some nickel and lighter elements like sulfur, oxygen, or silicon. It’s here, in this vast metallic sea, that one of …

What metals make up the outer core? The outer core is mostly made of iron and nickel. This alloy is often written as NiFe because it is a combination of their chemical element symbols.