Vast Underground Ocean Discovered Deep Beneath earth’s Surface
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WASHINGTON D.C. – A groundbreaking study confirms the existence of a massive water reservoir within Earth’s mantle, perhaps holding three times the amount of water found in all the planet’s oceans. The revelation, initially reported in 2014 and further substantiated by recent analysis, centers around the presence of ringwoodite, a high-pressure polymorph of olivine, in the mantle transition zone.
Researchers from the University of Utah, led by seismologist Steve Jacobsen, utilized data from over 2,000 seismometers to analyze over 500 shock waves generated by earthquakes. By meticulously measuring the speed of these waves as they traveled through the Earth’s interior, they were able to identify the presence of ringwoodite within the 410-660 kilometer (255-410 mile) deep “transition zone” between the upper and lower mantle. This zone is characterized by extreme pressure and temperature conditions.
Ringwoodite: Nature’s Water Sponge
Ringwoodite is a unique mineral formed only under the immense pressure found deep within the Earth. The frist confirmed terrestrial sample was discovered encased within a diamond recovered from a meteorite. Unlike surface water, the water within ringwoodite isn’t liquid; its bound within the mineral’s crystalline structure at the atomic level.
“Ringwoodite acts like a sponge, absorbing and holding water within its crystal lattice. Its structure allows it to attract hydrogen and effectively ‘lubricate’ water molecules,” explains Jacobsen.
The mineral’s ability to bind water is critically important, capable of containing up to 1.5% of its weight as H₂O under the conditions of the deep mantle.
Implications for Earth’s Water Cycle
Seismic wave data strongly suggests that substantial quantities of ringwoodite exist within the transition zone.Researchers estimate that even if only 1% of the rock in this zone contains water, the total volume would exceed the combined water of all surface oceans. This discovery supports the theory that Earth’s water originated from within the planet itself, rather than being solely delivered by comets or asteroids.
“This research provides compelling evidence for a deep Earth water cycle, potentially explaining the abundance of liquid water on our planet’s surface, a crucial factor for habitability,” Jacobsen stated. The findings contribute to a decades-long search for this “missing deep water.”
Ongoing Debate: Source of the Water
While the presence of water in the transition zone is now well-supported, the origin of this water remains a subject of scientific debate. Two primary hypotheses exist: the water may be primordial, originating from Earth’s formation over 4.5 billion years ago, or it may have been recycled from the surface through subduction – the process where oceanic plates slide beneath continental plates, carrying water-rich sediments into the mantle. Further research, including analysis of mantle plumes and volcanic emissions, is needed to definitively determine the source.
Image source: Pixabay
