Scientists Discover Underground Ocean 3 Times Larger Than All Surface Oceans Combined
Scientists have discovered a massive underground ocean—three times larger than all the surface oceans combined!
The ocean lies deep within the Earth’s mantle, about 700 km below the surface, raising new questions about our planet’s water cycle.
This underground ocean isn’t made of liquid water. It’s locked inside a blue rock called ringwoodite, in the form of water molecules.
Scientists used over 2,000 seismographs to analyze seismic waves from more than 500 earthquakes. The waves slowed down at certain depths, indicating water-filled rocks.
Ringwoodite’s unique crystal structure holds water in its mineral form, suggesting that Earth’s interior is more water-rich than previously thought.
The discovery challenges the old theories about the origin of water, suggesting it might have come from deep within the Earth, not just from comets.
This reservoir could play a critical role in stabilizing surface water levels and cycling water between Earth’s surface and its interior.
Scientists are planning additional research to find out if similar water reservoirs exist beneath other parts of the world.