He got to the core of Earth’s matter

This has implications on theories surrounding the Earth’s thermal evolution, formation of the inner core and the production of the earth’s geo-magnetic field.

Working along with an American and a Swiss scientist, this Indian School of Mines- trained scientist has shown potassium is soluble in a melted mix of iron and sulphur and thus may be able to enter the sulphur-bearing core of planets like Earth and it is this radioactive potassium that provides the necessary source of heat.

Over 30 years ago, researchers had proposed that potassium might be a radioactive heat source in the Earth’s core. The new data suggests previous inconsistencies may have been due to unrecognised experimental and analytical difficulties. After carrying out experiments under blazing temperatures and astounding pressures in especially designed micro chambers, Murthy concluded that “‘radioactive potassium can serve as a substantial heat source in the cores of Earth and Mars’’. In their research paper, the scientists say ‘‘the data provides a definitive demonstration’’ that radioactive potassium can be accommodated in the molten magma that is rich in iron and sulphur, a fact that had hitherto eluded earlier researchers.

Asked if one could tap this source of heat, which lies buried deep under our feet, Murthy says: ‘‘I don’t think we can directly tap the heat from the core since it is inaccessible.’’ But he adds scientists believe that some of the plumes that bring volcanic material to the earth’s surface originate at the core-mantle boundary and bring the heat to accessible domains which can then be tapped.