Scientists Discover "Lost World" Beneath Pacific Ocean
A team of geophysicists from ETH Zurich in Switzerland has made a groundbreaking discovery while analyzing earthquake waves, revealing areas deep beneath the Pacific Ocean that may contain remnants of submerged tectonic plates. This unexpected finding suggests that significant geological structures exist far from known plate boundaries, challenging current models of the Earth's interior.
The researchers utilized advanced supercomputing techniques to create a high-resolution model of the Earth's mantle based on global earthquake data. Their analysis indicates the presence of anomalous zones in the mantle, areas previously thought to lack such material due to the absence of tectonic activity like plate subduction.
Lead researcher Thomas Schouten stated, "Apparently, such zones in the Earth's mantle are much more widespread than previously thought." However, the exact nature and composition of these remnants remain a mystery, prompting further investigation into their origins and implications for Earth’s internal dynamics.
The study highlights the potential for more discoveries beneath the Earth's crust and emphasizes the complexity of geological processes that shape our planet. The results were published in the journal Scientific Reports.
Weekly Newsletter
News summary by melangenews