Northwestern University Research
In a remarkable scientific breakthrough, researchers from Northwestern University have discovered a massive ocean deep within the Earth’s mantle, challenging long-standing theories about the planet’s water cycle.
The study, led by geophysicist Steven Jacobsen, utilized seismic data from over 500 earthquakes and a network of 2,000 seismographs to detect the presence of water approximately 700 kilometers beneath the Earth’s surface. This hidden ocean, trapped within a mineral called ringwoodite, is estimated to hold a volume of water three times greater than all of Earth’s surface oceans combined.
Jacobsen’s team found that seismic waves slowed down significantly when passing through hydrated ringwoodite, compared to dry regions of the mantle, indicating the presence of water. This discovery suggests that the Earth’s water may have originated from within the mantle itself, rather than being delivered by comets, as previously thought.
The implications of this discovery are vast, with potential effects on our understanding of plate tectonics, volcanic activity, and the origins of life. As researchers continue to investigate this subterranean ocean, the study opens up new possibilities for understanding the dynamic processes that shape our planet.
For more information on this groundbreaking discovery, readers are encouraged to refer to the full study published by Northwestern University’s research team.
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