Defying our basic understanding, this groundbreaking discovery could completely change how we view the Earth’s water cycle. Scientists are proposing that water may actually exist within the mantle, moving between the tiny spaces in rock grains. Jacobsen, the lead researcher, emphasizes the immense importance of this potential mantle reservoir.
He says it plays a crucial role in keeping water trapped beneath the Earth’s surface. Without this reservoir, most of the planet’s water would likely be on the surface, leaving only the tips of mountains poking out above a global ocean. With this revelation, the scientists are eager to collect additional seismic data.
“The ringwoodite is like a sponge, soaking up water, there is something very special about the crystal structure of ringwoodite that allows it to attract hydrogen and trap water”, a key member of the discovery — geophysicist, Steve Jacobsen said.
“I think we are finally seeing evidence for a whole Earth water cycle, which may help explain the vast amount of liquid water on the surface of our habitable planet. Scientists have been looking for this missing deep water for decades,” he had further added.
Researchers made the discovery after studying the earthquakes and found out that seismometers were picking up shock waves under the surface of the earth.
Defying our basic understanding, this groundbreaking discovery could completely change how we view the Earth’s water cycle. Scientists are proposing that water may actually exist within the mantle, moving between the tiny spaces in rock grains. Jacobsen, the lead researcher, emphasizes the immense importance of this potential mantle reservoir.
He says it plays a crucial role in keeping water trapped beneath the Earth’s surface. Without this reservoir, most of the planet’s water would likely be on the surface, leaving only the tips of mountains poking out above a global ocean. With this revelation, the scientists are eager to collect additional seismic data.
“The ringwoodite is like a sponge, soaking up water, there is something very special about the crystal structure of ringwoodite that allows it to attract hydrogen and trap water”, a key member of the discovery — geophysicist, Steve Jacobsen said.
“I think we are finally seeing evidence for a whole Earth water cycle, which may help explain the vast amount of liquid water on the surface of our habitable planet. Scientists have been looking for this missing deep water for decades,” he had further added.
Researchers made the discovery after studying the earthquakes and found out that seismometers were picking up shock waves under the surface of the earth.
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