3 facts
When certain materials are cooled below a critical temperature, they become superconductors, meaning they conduct electricity with zero resistance. A remarkable effect of this is the Meissner effect, where they expel magnetic fields, causing magnets to levitate stably above them without physical contact.
Studies suggest the solid inner core spins slightly faster than Earth's mantle and crust, gaining about 0.08 to 0.1 degrees of longitude annually. This differential rotation is influenced by the magnetic field generated in the liquid outer core.
The magnetic north pole is currently moving at speeds up to 55 kilometers (34 miles) per year, causing issues for navigation systems and requiring more frequent updates to global magnetic models. This drift is driven by the motion of molten iron in Earth's outer core.