Scientists Discover A Water Reservoir Below Earth’s Surface, Thrice The Size Of All Oceans

Scientists at Northwestern University in Illinois, United States, have discovered a massive water reservoir hidden beneath the Earth’s surface.

The hidden ocean, thought to be three times the size of all the oceans combined, is located around 700 kilometres beneath the Earth’s surface.

Researchers used 2000 seismographs across the United States to systematically study seismic waves generated by more than 500 earthquakes.

By examining the slowdown of these waves as they passed into the Earth’s centre, particularly the core, they discovered substantial evidence of water in the rocks below.

This vast underground ocean, contained within a mineral known as ringwoodite, contradicts our previous understanding of the origins of the Earth’s water.

Previously, theories suggested that comet impacts had delivered Earth’s water.

However, a recent discovery suggests a different story: that the planet’s seas may have formed deep within its core and slowly seeped out over the ages.

The primary researcher, Steven Jacobsen, stressed the transformational significance of this discovery, stating that without this subsurface reserve, Earth’s water would be limited to its surface, leaving only mountain peaks visible.

The discovery of this secret ocean calls into question Earth’s water cycle, implying a potential shift away from hypotheses that place comet impacts are the primary cause.

Instead, the idea that Earth’s seas may have slowly seeped from its core is gaining acceptance. According to Jacobsen, this constitutes primary proof supporting the belief that Earth’s water originated internally.

The discovery of this subsurface ocean requires deploying a vast network of seismographs and examining seismic waves produced by earthquakes.

This discovery can potentially change our understanding of the Earth’s water cycle. It suggests that water may reside within the mantle, travelling among rock grains.

With this significant discovery in hand, researchers are keen to collect further seismic data worldwide to determine the prevalence of mantle melting.

Their findings can potentially revolutionise our understanding of Earth’s water cycle, providing new insights into one of the planet’s most fundamental processes.

Reference: Times of India, Money Control

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