Scientists in Japan and Taiwan have conducted experiments indicating that Earth's core may contain a significant amount of primordial helium-3, challenging previous understanding of the planet's interior.
Under extreme pressures, helium can form stable compounds with other elements, such as iron. Previous assumptions assumed that any primordial helium-3 would have diffused through Earth's interior and escaped into the atmosphere and space.
Clues from volcanic rocks with high helium-3 to helium-4 ratios suggest the possibility of helium compounds existing in Earth's mantle. The researchers conducted experiments with iron and helium and found that stable molecular lattices of iron and helium can be formed under high pressures.
Further studies are needed to confirm the presence of helium in Earth's core and improve understanding of the planet's interior composition.