A new study confirms scientists’ findings in 2014 that there is a giant reservoir of water beneath our feet that forms the oceans on the surface.
In 2014, a group of researchers from the United States studied the velocities of waves at different depths and concluded that an ocean several times larger than it is on the surface lurks in the depths of the Earth. our planet, writes IFLScience.
Next, the researchers used 2,000 seismometers to study seismic waves from more than five hundred earthquakes. The scientists studied the velocities of the waves at different depths and were able to detect which rocks the waves passed before reaching the sensors. The results of the study show that a rock, also known as ringwoodite, is found in the “transition zone” between the upper and lower mantles, about 700 km below the Earth’s surface.
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It is known that this rock formed only under the strong pressure observed towards the center of our planet. Scientists always note that they managed to find only a small sample of this rock from the bowels of the Earth – enclosed in a small diamond. However, ringwoodite has also been found in meteorites before. Actually, there is water in this sample, but it is not in liquid form as we used to think, but in the molecular structure of the minerals.
According to geophysicist Steve Jacobsen, ringwoodite is like a sponge that absorbs water—it has something special in its crystalline structure that allows it to attract hydrogen and retain water. As a result, this rock is likely to contain abundant water in deep mantle conditions.
Earlier research suggests that ringwoodite may contain up to 1.5% water, and that seismic waves are consistent with Earth’s water-containing interior. The researchers made calculations and concluded that although the rocks in the “transition zone” contain only 1% water, the Earth’s “subterranean ocean” holds three times more water than all the oceans on its surface. our planet.
According to seismologist Brandon Schmandt, if the “transition zone” is really high in H2O, some melting should also occur in areas of flow into the lower mantle, consistent with what the scientists found.
Therefore, geophysicist Jacobsen believes the results of this study prove that the water on our planet actually comes from the “inside” rather than outside the Earth. Scientists suggest that they have finally managed to find an explanation for where such a large amount of water arose on the surface of our planet and how it circulated on Earth.
Previously Focus He wrote that our planet has an ocean inside and is 6 times larger than land.
Source: Focus
Ashley Fitzgerald is an accomplished journalist in the field of technology. She currently works as a writer at 24 news breaker. With a deep understanding of the latest technology developments, Ashley’s writing provides readers with insightful analysis and unique perspectives on the industry.