About 29,00 kilometers under the surface of Earth, the core, a composition of iron alloyed with nickel has been a key player in the evolution of the planet. New lab experiments indicate it could be hit by a common phenomenon that has been known to destroy iron materials — rust.

Rusting, a reddish-brown product, is a result of a chemical reaction that happens when the iron is exposed to moist air or oxygenated water, which is feared by metalworkers. The Earth's core is made up of molten iron and new research shows that it could rust as well.

The study was published in the journal Advancing Earth and Space Science. The experiment showed that when iron meets moisture — as water or in the form of a hydroxyl-bearing mineral at a pressure of nearly a million atmospheres, it forms iron peroxide with the same structure as pyrite indicating the formation of rust.

The experiment is concerning as the pressure at which it has been conducted matches the conditions in the deep lower mantle. The research provides new insight into the Earth's inner layers as the long-held theories around the region where the core meets the mantle will have to be revisited.

"This rust could shed light on the deep-water cycle in the lower mantle and the enigmatic origins of ultralow-velocity zones (ULVZs)—small, thin regions atop Earth’s fluid core that slow seismic waves significantly. It could also help answer questions about the Great Oxidation Event (GOE), which marked the beginning of Earth’s oxygen-rich atmosphere some 2.5 billion to 2.3 billion years ago," a report in the Advancing Earth and Space Science journal said.

Scientists are now hopeful that they could get a view of the situation under the surface through giant plumes that erupt from the volcanoes. With the new perspective, the research and observations will be tweaked to understand the churnings happening deep inside the planet.

Among all of the global boundaries on the planet, the interface between Earth's core and mantle stands out as having the greatest contrast in chemical composition and physical properties. Scientists say that if the rusting has been happening overtime at the Core-Mantle Boundary (CMB) a layer must have accumulated exhibiting certain seismic signatures.

Experiments show that this layer of rust could have caused significant reductions in the velocities of seismic and compressional waves. These reductions could make the core rust recognizable if the layer of rust accumulation is three to five kilometers thick.

Meanwhile, scientists are yet to identify the cause of the oxygenation event that may have triggered rusting.

While experiments show that the core could be rusting, it is extremely difficult to find real evidence of the event. Scientists are hopeful that they will find the evidence as more studies are conducted.

"If the pieces of the puzzle all fall into place, then rusting of the core may, indeed, be a massive internal oxygen generator on Earth— and the next great atmospheric oxygenation event could be on its way," the report said.

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