Deep-Earth Structures May Reveal Origins of Life on Earth
NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ – November 19, 2025 – Newly discovered structures deep within Earth’s mantle are prompting scientists to re-evaluate theories about the planet’s early conditions and the potential emergence of life. Research led by Rutgers University suggests these unusual formations,located approximately 700 kilometers beneath the surface,could hold vital clues to understanding the geochemical habitat present when life first arose.
These enigmatic structures, identified through advanced seismic imaging, represent regions of dramatically different composition than the surrounding mantle. Scientists believe they are remnants of ancient oceanic crust that was subducted-forced beneath other tectonic plates-billions of years ago. The preservation of this material, and its unique chemical signature, offers a rare window into Earth’s primordial mantle, a period largely obscured by geological activity. understanding the composition of this early mantle is crucial because it dictated the availability of key elements and compounds necessary for the development of life.
The research, published November 18, 2025, focuses on the potential role of these structures as reservoirs for volatile elements like water and carbon. These elements, essential building blocks for organic molecules, may have been sequestered within the subducted crust and afterward released through mantle plumes, influencing the composition of the early atmosphere and oceans.
“The mantle isn’t a homogenous blob,” explained researchers. “These structures represent a different part of Earth’s history, and they’re telling us about conditions that existed when the planet was very young.” The team’s findings suggest that the amount of water and carbon locked within these structures could be significantly larger than previously estimated, perhaps revising models of Earth’s early geochemical cycles.
Further examination into the composition and distribution of these mantle structures is planned, utilizing increasingly elegant seismic techniques and geochemical modeling. The goal is to refine our understanding of the conditions that fostered the emergence of life on Earth, and to inform the search for habitable environments on other planets.
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