Dominique Jault and colleagues take us to the center of the Earth

In an article published in CNRS Le Journal, Dominique Jault, CNRS researcher at ISTerre, and several geophysics colleagues guide us on an exploration of the Earth’s deep interior. Their account takes us from the imaginative journey of Jules Verne in Journey to the Center of the Earth to today’s scientific reality, where numerical modeling and laboratory experiments allow us to better understand the planet’s internal structure.

The researchers trace the major milestones of this scientific adventure : the discovery of the Earth’s core, the study of the geomagnetic field, and the central role of the geodynamo, the invisible engine that protects the Earth from solar particles. They also highlight the connections between volcanism, plate tectonics, and mantle dynamics, which continuously shape the surface of our planet.

Finally, this scientific journey opens a window to other worlds : by comparing Earth to Venus or Mars, geoscientists aim to understand why our planet alone hosts active plate tectonics — a key factor in its evolution and vitality.