How hot is Earth's core?
Earth's core is estimated to be as hot as the surface of the sun, with temperatures ranging from 9,000 to over 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit. This heat is inferred through various scientific techniques, as direct measurement is not possible. The core is primarily composed of iron and nickel, with a liquid outer core and a solid inner core, and plays a crucial role in generating Earth's magnetic field.
- ▪Earth's core consists of a liquid outer core and a solid inner core.
- ▪The temperature of the Earth's core is estimated to be around 9,000 to just over 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
- ▪Scientists have inferred the core's temperature through experiments and theories about its composition.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Planet Earth Geology How hot is Earth's core? What's the temperature in Earth's core, and how did we figure that out? By Alice Sun published 23 May 2026 in Features When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. Earth has a liquid outer core and a solid inner core. (Image credit: bpawesome via Getty Images) Copy link Facebook X Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter When Earth first formed around 4.5 billion years ago, it was a ball of molten rock.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Live Science.