A groundbreaking scientific discovery has captured the world’s attention, revealing the existence of a vast ocean hidden beneath the Earth’s crust. Located a staggering 700 kilometers below the surface, this subterranean reservoir is housed within a mineral called ringwoodite and is estimated to be three times the volume of all the oceans on the planet’s surface combined.
The revelation, outlined in a 2014 scientific paper titled ‘Dehydration melting at the top of the lower mantle,’ sheds light on the unique properties of ringwoodite, which acts like a sponge, attracting hydrogen and trapping water within its crystal structure.
Geophysicist Steve Jacobsen, a prominent member of the discovery team, highlighted the significance of this finding, suggesting that it provides evidence for a comprehensive water cycle encompassing the entire Earth. He expressed that this discovery could help elucidate the abundance of liquid water on our habitable planet, marking a significant breakthrough after decades of searching for this hidden reservoir.
The discovery was made possible through the study of earthquakes, with seismometers detecting shockwaves beneath the Earth’s surface. By analyzing seismic data and conducting high-pressure laboratory experiments, numerical modeling, and seismic conversions, researchers unveiled the high water storage capacity of minerals in the Earth’s mantle transition zone (410 to 660 kilometers depth). This led to the identification of intergranular melt in the transition zone, indicating widespread hydration and the potential for dehydration melting to trap water within the region.
The implications of this discovery are profound, offering new insights into Earth’s geological processes and the distribution of water within its depths. As scientists continue to unravel the mysteries of our planet’s hidden realms, this remarkable finding underscores the vastness of Earth’s complexity and the boundless potential for further exploration and discovery.
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