Earth and Planetary Sciences News

Iron hydride enters an exotic state of matter under Earth’s inner-core conditions

Experiments under extreme conditions reveal that iron hydride may become superionic, with hydrogen moving through a solid iron lattice

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August 24, 2026

Earth's inner core, composed primarily of iron with a small percentage of light elements, may enter a superionic state at extreme pressure and temperature, according to experimental results from researchers at Science Tokyo. Using laser-heated and electrically wired diamond-anvil cells, the researchers identified experimental signatures of superionic iron hydride at conditions relevant to Earth’s core. These findings provide new insights into the composition and dynamics of Earth's deep interior.