Amidst global water scarcity affecting billions, researchers from Northwestern University, Illinois, make a groundbreaking revelation: a colossal reservoir of water, three times the size of Earth’s oceans combined, lies 700 km beneath the planet’s surface within a rock called ringwoodite.
ORIGINS AND PROPERTIES OF RINGWOODITE
Published in ‘Science’ magazine in 2014, the study titled ‘Dehydration melting at the top of the lower mantle’ sheds light on ringwoodite’s unique properties. Acting as a sponge, ringwoodite absorbs water due to its crystal structure, making it a potential reservoir for Earth’s surface water.
A WHOLE-EARTH WATER CYCLE UNVEILED
Lead researcher Steven Jacobsen notes, “This hidden ocean beneath the surface, concealed within ringwoodite, is likely the primary source of water on Earth’s surface.” The discovery supports the theory of a whole-Earth water cycle, explaining the abundance of liquid water on our planet’s surface.
REVEALING THE DEEP WATER CYCLE
Scientists deploy 2000 seismographs across the US, analyzing seismic waves from 500+ earthquakes to uncover the subterranean ocean. Waves travelling through Earth’s inner layers, including the core, slow down in wet rock, indicating the presence of a vast water deposit.
IMPLICATIONS AND INSIGHTS FROM SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
The high water storage capacity of minerals in Earth’s mantle transition zone implies the existence of a deep H2O reservoir. Downwelling from the transition zone into the lower mantle, coupled with dehydration melting, may contribute to trapping water in the transition zone.
A PARADIGM SHIFT IN UNDERSTANDING EARTH’S COMPOSITION
The discovery of Earth’s hidden ocean revolutionizes our understanding of the planet’s composition and water cycle dynamics. It underscores the interconnectedness of Earth’s internal processes and surface phenomena, offering insights into the origins of life-sustaining water.
PAVING THE WAY FOR FUTURE EXPLORATION
The revelation of Earth’s subterranean ocean opens new avenues for scientific inquiry and exploration. As researchers delve deeper into the mysteries of our planet’s interior, they unravel the complexities of Earth’s history and the mechanisms driving its dynamic evolution.