Imagine an ocean larger than all the water on Earth’s surface combined, hidden 435 miles below us.
That’s exactly what scientists at Northwestern University have discovered, and it could completely change what we know about where Earth’s water comes from.
Challenging Old Theories About the Origin of Water
For a long time, scientists have debated how Earth’s water arrived here.
Many thought comets, with their icy content, delivered water through impacts with Earth.
However, this new discovery challenges that idea.
A team of researchers, led by geophysicist Steven Jacobsen, has found a huge water reservoir trapped deep within the Earth’s mantle, the hot layer beneath the Earth’s crust.
This hidden ocean is held within a mineral called ringwoodite and is thought to be three times larger than all the oceans on Earth’s surface combined.
How Scientists Discovered the Hidden Ocean
To uncover this hidden ocean, scientists set up a network of 2,000 seismographs across the United States.
These instruments “listened” to the Earth by detecting vibrations from over 500 earthquakes.
As they studied the data, they noticed that seismic waves (the waves of energy produced by earthquakes) slowed down in certain parts of the mantle.
This slowing down suggested the presence of water, which was acting like a sponge within the rock.
A New Understanding of the Earth’s Water Cycle
This discovery could change our understanding of the Earth’s water cycle.
It suggests that water isn’t just something found on the surface; it might also exist deep within the mantle, moving through cracks and crevices in the Earth’s layers.
According to Jacobsen, this deep water source is crucial: “Without this internal water source, Earth’s surface might be mostly dry land, with only mountain peaks sticking out above vast oceans.”
Implications for Future Research and Earth’s History
The potential impact of this discovery is huge.
Scientists are now keen to collect seismic data from around the world to determine if this hidden ocean exists globally.
This could revolutionize our understanding of how water moves within our planet, a key process that has shaped Earth’s history and could even affect the development of life.
This discovery not only adds a new chapter to Earth’s history but also opens up exciting possibilities for future research into the mysteries of our planet.