Six unusual structures identified at Earth's core-mantle boundary with the help of deep learning
Scientists have identified six previously hidden bands of irregularities at the Earth's core-mantle boundary using deep learning. By analyzing seismic waves from earthquakes, researchers gained new insights into the planet's deep interior dynamics.
Why it matters
Understanding the core-mantle boundary is essential for comprehending volcanic activity, heat flow, and the long-term evolution of Earth's interior.
edited by Gaby Clark , reviewed by Robert Egan
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Add as preferred source Global distribution of PKIKP entry and exit points at the CMB used in PKP precursor analyses. Credit: Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth (2026). DOI: 10.1029/2025jb033195 Since scientists can't drill 2,900 km (1,800 miles) to the boundary between Earth's core and deep mantle, they must use information relayed by seismic waves recorded during earthquakes to study this region. In a new study published in the journal JGR Solid Earth , a group of scientists used deep learning to study a large set of a specific type of seismic wave. The analysis revealed six continuous bands of irregularities at the core-mantle boundary (CMB) that had previously appeared only as sparse patches.
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