Achi news desk-
GUWAHATI: Researchers have revealed the existence of a huge ocean hidden beneath the Earth’s crust, which lies 700 kilometers below the Earth’s surface, sparking widespread fascination across social media platforms.
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The finding, published in a 2014 Science paper titled ‘Dehydration and Melting at the Top of the Lower Mantle’, reignited curiosity about the mysteries lurking in our planet. The ocean reservoir, within a mineral known as ringwoodite, exceeds the combined volume of all surface oceans three times, posing a challenge to our understanding of Earth’s water sources.
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Geophysicist Steve Jacobsen, on the discovery team, sheds light on the unique properties of ringwoodite, describing it as "sponge" With an unparalleled ability to capture water deep within the earth. Jacobsen said, "I think we are finally seeing evidence of a complete Earth water cycle, which may help explain the vast amount of liquid water on the surface of our habitable planet. Scientists have been searching for this missing deep water for decades."
The breakthrough came after analyzing seismic activity, when seismometers detect shock waves reverberating beneath the Earth’s surface. By scrutinizing seismic data from more than 500 earthquakes using a network of 2,000 seismographs across the United States, the researchers observed a marked slowing of seismic waves passing through moist rock, indicating the presence of this extensive underground water reserve.
"The high water storage capacity of minerals in the Earth’s mantle transition zone (410 to 660 kilometers deep) suggests the possibility of a deep H2O reservoir, which could cause drying and melting of a vertically flowing mantle. We examined the effects of downfall from the transition zone to the lower mantle using high-pressure laboratory experiments, numerical modeling, and seismic P-to-S conversions." said the scientists.
"This is substantial evidence that the water on Earth came from within," Jacobsen argues, focusing on the implications of the paradigm shift of discovery. Furthermore, the findings challenge conventional theories regarding the origins of Earth’s water, suggesting that it may have originated within the Earth rather than arriving via a comet impact, as previously suggested. This discovery is not only captivating in its sheer size but also offers a fresh perspective on Earth’s water cycle, suggesting that water may seep from the planet’s core, gradually shaping the surface we live on. The implications go beyond mere scientific curiosity, as Jacobsen highlights the significance of this reservoir in maintaining terrestrial ecosystems. Without this hidden source of water, the Earth’s surface would be devoid of life-sustaining liquid, fundamentally changing the landscape of Earth as we know it.
