An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

The central part of the → Earth’s core, composed of solidified → iron and → nickel, and
extending from a depth of about 5100 km to the center of the Earth, at 6360 km. Its radius is about 1/3 that of the whole core and is effectively decoupled from the → mantle due to the molten nature of the surrounding → outer core. The radius of the inner core is defined by a small increase in → compressional wave velocity at a radius of about 1200 km. Its density is about 12 g/cm³. The → temperature of the inner core has been estimated at 5000-7000 °C.

See also: → inner; → core.