Scientists from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, have discovered an underground reservoir of water three times the size of all Earth’s surface oceans combined. This vast underground water supply lies approximately 700 kilometers beneath the Earth’s surface. The discovery, part of the quest to understand the origins of Earth’s water, reveals a massive ocean hidden within the Earth’s mantle, deep below the surface.
Researchers deployed a network of 2,000 seismographs across the United States to unveil this subterranean ocean
This concealed ocean, housed within a blue rock called ringwoodite, challenges our understanding of Earth’s water origins. Its size is three times that of all the planet’s surface oceans combined. This new revelation not only captivates with its magnitude but also introduces a fresh theory regarding Earth’s water cycle. It suggests that instead of arriving via comet impacts, as some theories suggest, Earth’s oceans may have gradually seeped out from its core. Steven Jacobsen, a researcher at Northwestern University in Illinois and the study’s lead author, states, “This is strong evidence that water on Earth originated from within.”
Researchers deployed a network of 2,000 seismographs across the United States to unveil this subterranean ocean, analyzing seismic waves from over 500 earthquakes. These waves, which traverse through Earth’s inner layers, including its core, decelerate when passing through damp rock, indicating the presence of this extensive water reservoir.
The potential presence of water in Earth’s mantle, moving between rock grains, could alter our understanding of the planet’s water cycle. Jacobsen highlighted the significance of this reservoir, noting that without it, water would be limited to the Earth’s surface, possibly only visible on mountain peaks. With this groundbreaking discovery, researchers are eager to collect additional seismic data from around the globe to ascertain the frequency of mantle melting. Their discoveries could transform our comprehension of Earth’s water cycle, providing fresh insights into one of the planet’s most fundamental processes.
