A recent study has unveiled a fascinating discovery that could shed light on Earth ‘s enigmatic core. Here are the key findings and insights:
Earth’s core is situated approximately 1,800 miles beneath its surface, and many aspects of its composition and behaviour remain mysteries.
The study suggests that Earth’s core might be surrounded by an ancient ocean floor layer that includes enormous mountains, five times taller than Mount Everest. This layer could act as a “blanket,” trapping heat within the core.
Scientists have long puzzled over the boundary between the mantle and the core, located about 2,000 miles beneath Earth’s surface. This transition zone is marked by a dramatic shift in temperature and rock composition.
To explore this boundary, researchers have analysed seismic waves generated by earthquakes. These waves carry vital information about Earth’s interior.
Scientists had previously identified ULVZs, areas where seismic waves unexpectedly slow down, near the core-mantle boundary. However, these were only observed in patches.
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To investigate the extent of ULVZs, the research team conducted an expedition to Antarctica. They deployed seismic equipment at 15 stations and collected data for three years.
The study revealed that ULVZs are more widespread than previously thought, covering a significant portion of the southern hemisphere. This suggests that this layer encases the entire core.
The team used modelling to propose that this layer could be composed of bits of ancient ocean floor. Over time, tectonic plate movements might have caused these oceanic materials to be swallowed up and subducted into the Earth’s interior.
This layer’s composition, being dense and heat-resistant under pressure, could impact the movement of heat within the Earth’s core and influence phenomena like mantle plumes and the planet’s magnetic field.
While this discovery is intriguing, further research is required to validate this hypothesis and rule out alternative explanations for ULVZs, such as unknown materials or unique melting states at the mantle-core boundary.
Understanding Earth’s core and its dynamics is essential for unravelling the planet’s geological history and its ongoing processes, making this discovery a potentially significant addition to our understanding of Earth’s formation and evolution.
