Parts of the Earth's upper mantle are indeed magnetic, although not uniformly.
Here's a breakdown:
- Location: This magnetic portion resides within the upper mantle, specifically between approximately 30 and 670 kilometers (18 and 416 miles) beneath the Earth's surface.
- Magnetic Materials: The magnetism is attributed to the presence of magnetic minerals, including magnetite and a newly identified type of iron oxide.
- High Temperatures: Remarkably, these minerals retain their magnetic properties despite the extremely high temperatures prevalent in the upper mantle, reaching up to 700 degrees Celsius (1,292 degrees Fahrenheit).
In summary, while not the entire mantle, specific regions within the upper mantle exhibit magnetic properties due to the presence of magnetic minerals that can withstand the intense heat at those depths.
