Scientists Discover 700 Km Deep Ocean Reservoir Underground

Researchers at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, discovered a vast reservoir of water hidden beneath the Earth’s surface. This subterranean water source is estimated to be three times the size of all the oceans on the planet combined. Located approximately 700 kilometres below the Earth’s surface, this research opens up new ways for perceiving the planet’s geology and water cycle. This was founded while investigating the origins of Earth’s water. Researchers have uncovered a concealed ocean hidden within a mineral called ringwoodite. This discovery challenges the way we perceive the origins of Earth’s water. The subterranean ocean surpasses the combined volume of all surface oceans threefold.

This discovery is significant and proposes a new theory about the Earth’s water cycle. While some scientists believed water originated from comet impacts, this finding hints that Earth’s oceans may have emerged from deep within the planet, gradually seeping out from its core.

Steven Jacobsen, a scientist from Northwestern University in Illinois who headed the research, said in an interview, “This shows strong proof that Earth’s water came from inside the planet.”

Researchers have found an ocean using 2000 seismographs placed all over the United States. They looked at seismic waves from 500 earthquakes. When these waves travelled through the inside of the Earth, like the core, they slowed down. This shows that there is water in the rocks below.

The concept that water could be in the Earth’s mantle and move through the rock grains might change the way we understand Earth’s water cycle. Jacobsen highlighted the significance of this reservoir. He explained that without this water, all the water on Earth would be on the surface, and we might only view mountain peaks.

Scientists followed up with gathering additional seismic data from various regions worldwide. Their goal is to determine the frequency of mantle melting events. The outcomes of their research have the potential to revolutionise the comprehension of the Earth’s water cycle, offering insights into one of the planet’s fundamental processes.