Ancient Earth Fire Reveals Geological Secrets

Scientists have discovered the geological forces that shaped the North Atlantic, linking volcanic eruptions across vast distances. Using advanced techniques, they’ve uncovered the mechanisms behind these ancient events, offering insight into Earth’s past and future.

Unveiling the Iceland Plume

For years, geologists have been puzzled by lava plateaus and volcanic islands spread across the North Atlantic. Now, researchers backed by the European Space Agency (ESA) have identified how a super-hot mantle plume thinned Earth’s outer shell. This plume ignited a chain of volcanoes that still influence the region today.

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“This striking correlation suggests that hot material from the Iceland Plume penetrated the region, eroding the lithosphere. The resulting combination of thin lithosphere, hot asthenosphere, and decompression melting likely triggered the uplift and volcanic activity,”

—Sergei Lebedev, University of Cambridge

The Earth’s mantle plumes continue to shape the planet, with ongoing studies revealing their impact, such as the ability to release climate-altering gases. A study shows large volcanic eruptions can release millions of tons of carbon dioxide, which has been linked to past global warming events (USGS, 2024).

Decoding the 4D Puzzle

The Iceland Plume, which sparked eruptions roughly 60 million years ago, is still active. The research combined gravity data from the GOCE satellite, seismic readings, and surface geology to produce a detailed picture of the lithosphere. This allowed the researchers to see how the mantle plume interacted with the crust.

The research also shows that the same geological scars left by the plume still influence where earthquakes occur. The map reveals that these tremors happen where the lithosphere is thinnest. The new findings also help scientists understand how large igneous provinces altered the ancient atmosphere.