New simulations of the Earth’s core
indicate extremely precise conditions
for its formation, exposing flaws in
cosmological evolutionary theory

Magnetic Miracles
Earth’s Inner Core and the Glory of God

by Sarah Buckland-Reynolds, PhD

A landmark study by four UK scientists, published this month in Nature Communications, unveils yet another striking geoscience discovery that points to fine-tuned design and challenges long-held evolutionary assumptions.

Constraining Earth’s core composition from inner core nucleation (Wilson et al, Nature Communications, 4 Sept 2025).

As it turns out, this latest example of fine-tuned design was beneath our feet all along: within the Earth’s inner core.

The Research

Researchers, Wilson et al from the University of Oxford, Leeds, and University College London, simulated the conditions required for Earth’s solid inner core to form, resulting in it’s present structure, temperature and magnetism. After testing numerous combinations of elements, the team found that core nucleation and crystallization would only occur with precisely 3.8% carbon in its makeup; otherwise, Earth’s core would have remained molten.

Comparative simulations showed that no other elemental mix could sustain a stable magnetic field, leaving the planet vulnerable to solar wind and charged particles—potentially even stripping away its atmosphere. Despite beginning from evolutionary assumptions of an initially molten core—and acknowledging unaccounted complexities—Wilson et al.’s research nonetheless points powerfully to fine-tuned design and raises fresh challenges to long-standing evolutionary views on Earth’s core formation.

The Core of the Matter: Functionality Beyond the Depths

Research into the Earth’s core is highly relevant, as the role of its size, state and composition is known to directly impact Earth’s habitability. Research on Earth’s core is vital, since its size, state, and composition directly affect the planet’s habitability. Earth’s magnetic field—essential for preserving the atmosphere, deflecting harmful solar wind, and guiding migratory species—depends on the core’s composition, which drives convection in the outer core.

According to cosmological evolutionary theory, Earth’s core began in a molten state, due to radioactive heating. Yet for the inner core to crystallize, a precise mechanism was required. To address this, the researchers drew on seismology and melting-point data, which indicate that the core is less dense than pure iron. This suggested that Earth’s present magnetic strength depends on a mixture of elements.  The authors acknowledged, however, that multiple possible combinations remain consistent with traditional constraints, leaving some ambiguity.] However, their research found that of all simulated possibilities, only a 3.8% carbon composition (with a supercooling temperature of 266K) could account for the processes of nucleation and the estimated present size of the Earth’s core.

Even without challenging the unobservable assumption of an initially molten core, this article demonstrates that the very existence of the solid inner core requires a finely tuned chemical composition for today’s geophysical processes to function. Although the Scriptures are not clear about the solid vs. molten state of the Earth’s core at creation, this discovery shows that a precise composition of the core would have been necessary to give rise to the magnetic properties of Earth that life relies on. In an evolutionary framework, the question arises: How did nature “know” the amount of each element required for the core to produce the thermal profile necessary for Earth’s magnetism?

Evolution’s Blind Spot: Emerging Conundrums

In addition to inadvertently pointing to fine-tuned design, the authors further highlighted several blind spots in cosmological evolutionary theory:

• Conflicts with palaeomagnetic observations: The authors admitted that the supercooled 266K temperature required for the theorized 3.8% carbon would cause a shift in the presumed evolutionary timeline of the core formation, and conflict with observations from paleomagnetism. In the words of the authors:

“Inner core nucleation subject to a supercooling of 200–400 K has potentially significant implications for interpreting the structure, dynamics, and evolution of Earth’s core. The predicted supercooling would delay the inner core formation age predicted by core evolution models by O(100) Myrs. In classical evolution models with high core conductivity this delay would likely imply a lack of power available to the dynamo prior to inner core formation, in conflict with paleomagnetic observations…”

• Ad hoc solutions, without empirical anchoring

Unfortunately, instead of solely advocating for further research, the authors then revert to alternative explanations, not founded upon observations. To resolve the dynamo dilemma, the authors propose a speculative precipitation of oxides at the core-mantle boundary (CMB) as a power source. Yet it admits that the role of carbon in this process has not been systematically evaluated. In the authors’ words:

“This observation lends support to evolutionary scenarios that include long-lived dynamo power supplied by precipitation of oxides at the CMB, though the effect of C on the partitioning behaviour at the CMB has not been systematically evaluated and may influence the power provided by precipitation. Sudden rapid growth of the inner core following nucleation may leave a signature in the paleomagnetic record owing to the additional latent heat and gravitational power to the dynamo, though the expected influence on field intensity and variability has not yet been studied in detail. Finally, delayed inner core formation may influence texturing of the inner core, for example by trapping liquids in the solid, and has been correlated with the existence of the innermost inner core”.

In addition to introducing speculations, this article points to yet another example of a study that assumes deep time without anchoring in empirical tests. The quote hinges on the idea that inner core nucleation was delayed by 100 million years due to supercooling. However, this presupposes a timeline rooted in uniformitarian assumptions that cannot be tested.  Truly open science would incorporate comparisons with other alternative frameworks or possibilities into simulations. For example, if the Earth was created with a fully functional core and magnetic field from the beginning, as Genesis implies, then such delays are unnecessary and speculative.

• Retroactive fitting of data: The authors’ reversion to alternative explanations also points to a lack of predictive power of the evolutionary model. Retroactively fitting findings to foundational models to explain observations is the sign of a scientific model that is not robust. Conversely, predictive and explanatory power are hallmarks of robust models.

More Potential Hallmarks of Core Design: Carbon and Interdependent Chains of Functionality

If the composition of the Earth’s core simulated by Wilson et al in this paper is indeed accurate, the presence of carbon in the Earth’s core is further impressive as a signature of design. Carbon is already known to form the foundation of living cell and DNA structure and function. How did this element, which also happens to be the backbone of all biological life, end up being so flexible that it also potentially plays a critical role in Earth’s stability? This consistency with versatility is the hallmark of unified, intelligent design, from the microscopic to the planetary scale.

Beyond the simulations of carbon, the authors highlight already known thermal conductivity of the boundaries between the Inner Core Boundary (ICB) and the Core-Mantle Boundary (CMB), which directly constrains the resulting magnetic field. Quoting from the article, the authors state that:

“The melting temperature, T_m, of the core, set by the constituent iron alloy, defines the temperature, T, at the inner core boundary (ICB), which provides a unique constraint on the present-day temperature at the core mantle boundary (CMB). Transport properties also vary with composition, including thermal conductivity, k, which plays a vital role in determining thermal stratification and convective vigour in the liquid core and therefore the long-term thermal evolution of the core and its potential to generate the global magnetic field…”

The interdependencies between the core’s geochemistry and physical properties highlight a coherence that is governed by non-random laws. The specific melting point of the iron alloy that constitutes the core. sets the temperature at the boundary between the solid and liquid parts of the core. This resulting temperature at this boundary affects temperature conditions and magmatic transport in other subsurface processes outside these locations forming a chain reaction for the existence of earth’s present magnetic field. These chains are interdependent, where there must be:

• A specified metallic combination to set the appropriate temperature
• That temperature affects the flow of heat
• The flow of heat drives core movement
• Core movement generates the magnetic field that protects life

If any part of this system were off—wrong metal, wrong temperature, or incorrect heat flow—the Earth’s magnetic field could collapse. Evolutionary models fail to explain the coherent functionality of these processes, including questions such as: Why does the composition allow just enough heat to escape: not too much, not too little? Why and how, did these processes evolve to sustainably support life on earth for thousands of years?

Amidst these already known complexities, the authors note that: “The composition of Earth’s core is likely to be more complex than the simple binary alloys we have considered”.

Can a cosmological evolutionary model ever adequately explain such complexities?

The Core Cries Out…

The researchers themselves admit that we can never directly access the Earth’s inner core. All we have are simulations, seismic data, and theoretical models. Yet even these limited tools reveal a stunning truth: the Earth is finely tuned, from its surface to its center. While showing yet another example of design, the authors also inadvertently further exposed the fragility of evolutionary models when confronted with the Earth’s magnetic field and core chemistry. The need for speculative mechanisms, the contradictions with paleomagnetic data, and the reliance on untested assumptions all point to a deeper truth: the Earth’s inner workings are not the product of chance, but of Divine Design.

While models will continue to shift in the future, one thing is for certain: our Earth is complex and finely tuned. Everyday privileges of living on Earth are controlled by many unseen design features, calibrated to sustain life and reflect the glory of God.

As Psalm 104:5 declares, “He set the Earth on its foundations; it can never be moved.” These discoveries continue to show that creation bears witness to the wisdom of its Creator: the One who spoke the elements into existence, who formed the Earth with intention, and who sustains it by His Word.

“For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20).

Dr. Sarah Buckland-Reynolds is a Christian, Jamaican, Environmental Science researcher, and journal associate editor. She holds the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Geography from the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona with high commendation, and a postgraduate specialization in Geomatics at the Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia. The quality of her research activity in Environmental Science has been recognized by various awards including the 2024 Editor’s Award from the American Meteorological Society for her reviewing service in the Weather, Climate and Society Journal, the 2023 L’Oreal/UNESCO Women in Science Caribbean Award, the 2023 ICETEX International Experts Exchange Award for study in Colombia. and with her PhD research in drought management also being shortlisted in the top 10 globally for the 2023 Allianz Climate Risk Award by Munich Re Insurance, Germany. Motivated by her faith in God and zeal to positively influence society, Dr. Buckland-Reynolds is also the founder and Principal Director of Chosen to G.L.O.W. Ministries, a Jamaican charitable organization which seeks to amplify the Christian voice in the public sphere and equip more youths to know how to defend their faith.   

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