Fig. 4: Schematic illustration of the E′ layer formation. | Nature Communications

Fig. 4: Schematic illustration of the E′ layer formation.

From: Presence of primordial Mg can explain the seismic low-velocity layer in the Earth’s outermost outer core

Fig. 4: Schematic illustration of the E′ layer formation.

a–d The differences in concentrations of key elements including Si, H, Fe, and Mg between the upper outer core (E′ layer) and the lower outer core; e Formation of an Fe-Si-H proto-core before the giant impact; f Merging of the giant impactor core with the proto-core; g Formation of a stratified upper outer core layer with a composition of Fe-Si-H-Mg-O by delivery of excess Mg-Si-O components to the core; h Formation of the E′ layer with Fe-Si-H-Mg composition by exsolving SiO2, H2O, FeO, and possibly MgO components from the outermost core into the mantle.

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