article_snippet: The breakthrough could also explain why earthquakes occur deep inside the Earth’s interior, suggesting it is hotter than previously thought.
article_snippet: The researchers argue that in Earth’s early days, mantle convection caused weak zones in the lithosphere - the outermost shell of Earth.
article_snippet: Another implication of the stiff layer is that 'if you decrease the ability of the rock in the mantle to mix, it's also harder for heat to get out of Earth, which could mean Earth's interior is hotter than we think,' Dr Lowell Miyagi said.
article_snippet: The findings could also indicate that Earth's interior is hotter than thought, averaging 2,150°C (3,900°F) at the lower mantle boundary rather than 1,540°C (2,800°F) as previously predicted .
highlights_snippet: And the findings also indicate Earth's interior is hotter than thought .