Scientific research has revealed that in 2010, the flow of molten iron beneath the Pacific Ocean abruptly shifted from west to east. Frederik Dahl Madsen of the University of Edinburgh stated, “The significant change in the flow beneath the Pacific Ocean raises new questions about the behavior of Earth’s inner layers.” Anja Stromme, ESA’s Swarm mission manager, commented, “Since Swarm provides continuous global data over many years, it helps scientists monitor the dynamics of Earth’s core.” Kathmandu, 22 Shrawan.
Earth’s magnetic field is primarily generated by the flow of molten iron in the outer core, located about 3,000 kilometers beneath the surface. This liquid iron conducts electricity, creating the continuously changing electromagnetic field around the planet. The outer core lies roughly 2,200 kilometers below the surface and plays a crucial role in maintaining the magnetic field. For years, scientists concluded that the outer core’s flow predominantly moved westward. However, in 2010, this pattern suddenly changed.
A large portion of the molten iron beneath the Pacific Ocean began flowing eastward instead of westward. The cause of this directional shift remains unidentified. Data collected by satellites from the European Space Agency (ESA) have supported investigations into this phenomenon. A study published in the Journal of Studies of Earth’s Deep Interior utilized satellite and terrestrial data from 1997 to 2025 to analyze the change.
Analysis confirmed that in 2010, the flow of molten iron beneath the Pacific Ocean turned eastward. Frederik Dahl Madsen, the study’s lead author, stated, “The major flow shift beneath the Pacific Ocean introduces new challenges to our understanding of the Earth’s interior behavior.” He added, “The increase in eastward flow under the Pacific is connected to changes in the dynamics of the inner core.” ESA launched three Swarm satellites in 2013 equipped with magnetometers capable of precision measurements of Earth’s magnetic field.
