According to the latest development, deep beneath the Earth’s surface, scientists have discovered a reservoir of water three times the size of Earth’s oceans. According to reports, Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois has discovered that this reservoir of groundwater lies approximately 700 kilometers below our surface.
In their quest to uncover the source of Earth’s water, researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery. It is a vast ocean hidden deep within the Earth’s mantle and far below the surface. Trapped within ringwoodite, a blue-colored rock, this hidden ocean is upending our understanding of where Earth’s water comes from.
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The size of this hidden ocean is prompting a reassessment of Earth’s water cycle and suggests a possible departure from theories that attribute it primarily to comet impacts. Instead, the prevailing idea is that the Earth’s oceans have gradually permeated from its core.
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The scientific effort behind this discovery was led by Northwestern University researcher Stephen Jacobsen. He claims, “This provides important evidence supporting the idea that Earth’s water originates internally.” Unraveling this underground ocean involved deploying his extensive network of 2000 seismometers across the globe. The United States examines seismic waves emitted by more than 500 earthquakes. These waves passing through the Earth’s inner layers, including the core, experience deceleration as they pass through moist rocks, indicating the existence of this vast reservoir.
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The discovery could reshape our understanding of Earth’s water cycle, suggesting that water may exist within the mantle and move between rock particles. Mr. Jacobsen emphasized the importance of reservoirs and their role in keeping water below the surface of the earth. Without reservoirs, water would mainly exist on the surface and only visible at the top of the mountains.
With this breakthrough in hand, researchers are keen to collect additional seismic data around the world to confirm the extent of mantle melting. Their findings have the potential to revolutionize our understanding of Earth’s water cycle and provide a new perspective on one of Earth’s fundamental processes.
