New York: A groundbreaking discovery by researchers at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, has unveiled a colossal reservoir of water hidden deep beneath the Earth’s surface. Estimated to be three times the size of all the oceans combined, this subterranean water source lies approximately 700 kilometers beneath the Earth’s crust, challenging conventional understanding of the planet’s geology and water cycle.
The revelation of this hidden ocean came during investigations into the origins of Earth’s water. Scientists stumbled upon a vast reservoir concealed within a mineral known as ringwoodite. This discovery fundamentally alters our perception of where Earth’s water originated, surpassing previous theories that attributed it to comet impacts.
Steven Jacobsen, lead researcher from Northwestern University, emphasized the significance of this find, stating, “This shows strong proof that Earth’s water came from inside the planet.” The discovery was made possible through the analysis of seismic waves from 500 earthquakes using 2000 seismographs deployed across the United States. These waves, as they traversed through the Earth’s interior, exhibited slower velocities, indicating the presence of water within the rocks below.
Also Read: Korean ‘Artificial Sun’ Achieves Record-Breaking Temperature: 7 Times Hotter Than the Sun’s Core
The notion that water could reside within the Earth’s mantle and migrate through rock grains presents a paradigm shift in our understanding of the planet’s water cycle. Jacobsen highlighted the pivotal role of this reservoir, noting that without it, all of Earth’s water would be confined to the surface, rendering only mountain peaks visible.
Building upon their initial discovery, scientists are now expanding their seismic data collection efforts globally to ascertain the frequency of mantle melting events. The insights gleaned from this ongoing research have the potential to revolutionize our comprehension of the Earth’s water cycle, shedding light on one of the planet’s fundamental processes.
