For decades, scientists have been puzzled by two enigmatic blobs deep within Earth’s mantle. These rock formations, spanning thousands of kilometers, are slightly denser than their surroundings, indicating they may consist of different materials than the rest of the mantle.
New computer simulations now suggest an intriguing origin story for these mysterious blobs: they may be remnants of a colossal collision between early Earth and a young planet named Theia, the same impact believed to have given birth to the Moon. According to the modeling, this violent encounter caused material from Theia to become embedded in the lower part of Earth’s mantle. The collision also led to some of Theia’s remnants being ejected into orbit, ultimately coalescing to form the Moon.
While the idea that these mantle anomalies are connected to Theia is not new, this study is the first to seriously consider and investigate this hypothesis. The research could shed light on Earth’s unique characteristics and the lasting impact of the giant collision with Theia.
The Mysterious Mantle Anomalies
Scientists have long been puzzled by two peculiar regions deep within Earth’s mantle. These formations, referred to as large low-velocity provinces, are characterized by their slightly higher density compared to the surrounding mantle. Seismic waves travel more slowly through these anomalies, indicating they are composed of different materials.
The origins of these mantle anomalies have remained a mystery for decades. Recent computer modeling has revealed a dramatic theory about their formation, linking them to a colossal cosmic collision between Earth and Theia, a protoplanet that impacted Earth around 4.5 billion years ago, leading to the creation of the Moon.
Unveiling Earth’s Unique History
The modeling conducted by scientists at this study’s core offers compelling evidence for the theory that Earth’s mantle anomalies are remnants of Theia. The research simulates the interaction between Theia’s mantle and Earth’s mantle, beginning from the moment of the colossal collision to the present day.
The results indicate that material from Theia initially sank to the lower portion of Earth’s mantle. Over time, more of Theia’s material accumulated there, forming the enigmatic blobs. Some of Theia’s remnants were also flung into orbit, eventually coalescing to create the Moon.
While the research doesn’t provide definitive proof that the mantle anomalies are linked to Theia, it presents a compelling case to take this hypothesis seriously. The next step involves validating these models by comparing rock samples from Earth’s mantle with those from the Moon.
Scientists hope that this research, along with future studies, will illuminate what makes Earth unique and provide insights into the enduring impact of the collision with Theia. This study suggests that this giant collision created lasting heterogeneities in Earth’s structure, shaping the planet for billions of years to come.
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Reference : https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-03385-9
