Scientists at Northwestern University in Illinois have made an extraordinary discovery that shocked the scientific community: There is evidence that there is a huge body of water deep inside the Earth, extending to more than 400 miles below the surface. The discovery, reminiscent of Jules Verne’s imaginative stories, sparked widespread interest and speculation.
A 2014 research paper titled “Dehydration and Melting at the Top of the Lower Mantle” proposed the existence of deep reservoirs between 250 and 410 miles underground. Research suggests that a mineral called spinelite found beneath the Earth’s crust may hold large amounts of water.
The discovery challenges previous assumptions about the composition of Earth’s interior and has implications for our understanding of Earth’s geological processes.
For years, scientists have speculated about the existence of vast reservoirs of water beneath the Earth’s surface.
Geophysicist Steve JacobsonOne of the lead researchers commented on the significance of the discovery, emphasizing its potential to shed light on the Earth’s water cycle and the origin of water on the Earth’s surface. He emphasized the role that geological phenomena such as earthquakes and volcanic activity play as manifestations of processes occurring deep within the Earth that cannot be directly observed.
The structure of the Earth is made up of different layers: the crustal surface, the mostly solid mantle that makes up more than 80% of the Earth, and the molten outer and inner cores. The transition zone of the mantle, located between the upper and lower segments, is thought to be conducive to the storage of water in crystalline rocks.
Crystalline rocks are believed to store more water underground than on the Earth’s surface.
According to National Geographic, the crystals in this area hold as much water as all the oceans combined. As temperature and pressure increase toward the bottom of the transition zone, minerals such as sharpwoodite transform, releasing water vapor that helps maintain stable water reservoirs within the mantle.
As scientists continue to uncover the mysteries hidden beneath the Earth’s surface, the discovery of this mysterious ocean represents an important step forward in our understanding of our planet’s complexity.
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