In an astonishing scientific breakthrough, researchers have discovered two colossal mountain-like structures deep within the Earth’s mantle, standing more than 100 times taller than Mount Everest. These geological marvels, located beneath Africa and the Pacific Ocean, rise approximately 1,000 kilometers from the boundary between Earth’s core and mantle.
The findings, published in Nature, have left scientists marveling at the ancient formations, which could be over half a billion years old or even date back to Earth’s formation nearly four billion years ago.
These hidden peaks, known as Large Low Seismic Velocity Provinces (LLSVPs), were identified by analyzing seismic waves generated by large earthquakes. These waves slow down and behave unusually when they encounter anomalies like these deep-seated structures.
“Seismic waves revealed these massive formations, and their sheer scale is beyond anything we’ve encountered,” said Dr. Arwen Deuss, lead researcher and professor at Utrecht University.
Surrounding the LLSVPs is a “graveyard” of ancient tectonic plates, remnants of Earth’s dynamic crustal movement. These plates, subducted over millennia, sink as deep as 3,000 kilometers beneath the surface.
The study also uncovered surprising details about the LLSVPs. Unlike the surrounding mantle, these regions exhibit minimal damping of seismic waves, making them “sound louder” during seismic events.
“It was unexpected to find such low damping in these areas,” said researcher Sujania Talavera-Soza. “This suggests the structures are made of larger mineral grains, which don’t absorb as much energy.”
These properties indicate the LLSVPs are significantly older than the surrounding tectonic slabs, offering a glimpse into Earth’s ancient history.
The discovery not only sheds light on Earth’s deep interior but also raises questions about the origins and longevity of these structures. “We still don’t fully understand their nature or whether they’ve existed for billions of years,” added Dr. Deuss.
As scientists continue to explore the depths of our planet, these hidden giants remind us of the mysteries still waiting to be uncovered beneath Earth’s surface.