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Whose historic observation first showed that earthquake waves travel through Earth’s interior?

Quick Answer

Richard Dixon Oldham is credited with identifying the Earth’s core from earthquake-wave behavior in 1906. He noticed that seismic waves followed different paths through the planet, revealing internal structure.

The Full Story

Richard Dixon Oldham studied earthquake seismograms and found that seismic waves did not behave as if Earth were uniform. In 1906, he inferred the existence of a central core from the way waves were slowed and refracted. This was a breakthrough in understanding Earth’s interior using natural disasters as a scientific tool. Later work refined the structure into a liquid outer core and solid inner core. Oldham’s insight helped make seismology a window into the deep Earth.

Key Facts

1.Oldham’s core inference dates to 1906

2.Seismic waves revealed Earth’s internal layering

3.Later studies showed a liquid outer core and solid inner core

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