A fragment of ocean floor submerged 250 million years ago could transform what we know about our planet’s interior and its processes. Gabriela Aceitón Cortés Meteored Chile 08/11/2024 06:00 5 min
Imagine diving into the depths of the ocean and finding a ancient map of our planet, hidden under thousands of meters of water and rock. This is what a research group from the University of Maryland, in the United States, discovered.
This discovery, published in the journal Science Advanceschallenges theories about the internal structure of our planet and provides new clues about the processes that shaped the Earth’s surface.
Journey to the center of the Earth
To make this discovery, scientists used a technique similar to scanning, but applied to our planet.
They sent seismic waves through the Earth and analyzed how they reflected and distorted. They were thus able to create a sort of x-ray of the interior of our planet.
Thanks to this type of seismic imaging, which is similar to a scanner, the team was able to observe a mantle region beneath the Pacific Oceanmore precisely in the Eastern Pacific submarine ridgewhere she discovered a very thick area in the middle part of the Earthbetween the crust and the core.
This thick area was actually a ancient ocean floor that sank millions of years ago and who was trapped… 660 kilometers deep!
How did an ocean get trapped underground?
Around 250 million years ago, as dinosaurs began to populate the planet, a significant layer of ocean floor slowly sank into the mantlethe layer of rock located beneath the earth’s crust.
This process, called “subduction”, occurs when tectonic plates (giant fragments of the earth’s crust) slide under each other, dragging parts of the ocean floor with them. But what is surprising is that this ocean floor never completely disintegrated.
The study indicates that some ocean debris was “trapped” at this depth, preserved for millions of years.
Jingchuan Wangprincipal investigator of this study, explains in a press release from the School of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences at the University of Maryland that “ the rock appears to have been “trapped” in a region of the mantle called the transition zone, a place so cold and dense that it slowed its movement ».
A new geological enigma
This discovery helps us to better understand how matter moves inside the Earth and how mountains, volcanoes and oceans are formed.
It allows us also to better understand why earthquakes occurbecause many of them are linked to the movement of tectonic plates, like the one that sank and became trapped.
“These ancient seabeds give us a unique window into Earth’s past that we’ve never seen before.”
Jingchuan Wang, geologist and principal researcher.
The next steps will be to explore other areas of the Pacific looking for other “fossils” of this type, which would make it possible to complete the history of ancient plate tectonic movements.
“This is just the beginning,” Mr. Wang said, emphasizing that “we believe that many other ancient structures await discovery at the interior of the Earth.
Article references and sources:
– Jingchuan Wang., et all. Mesozoic intraoceanic subduction shaped the lower mantle beneath the East Pacific Rise.(2024). Science Advances.
– School of Computer Science, Mathematics and Natural Sciences at the University of Maryland. Ancient Sunken Seafloor Reveals Earth’s Deep Secrets. (2024) Published in the Faculty news section.
Ahoy, Earthlings! Ancient Ocean Floor Discovery Sends Shockwaves Through Our Understanding of Earth’s Interior!
Good to see you, fellow curious beings! Hold onto your tectonic plates because what we have here is a revelation that could overturn your understanding of the planet we live on. Yes, that’s right. Like a magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat, scientists have literally dug deep and discovered a fragment of ocean floor, submerged for a staggering 250 million years. If that’s not enough to knock your socks off, I don’t know what is!
Imagine taking a plunge into the ocean and finding what could be dubbed an ancient map of our planet—hidden beneath layers of water and rock, waiting for someone to find it. Well, that’s exactly what a sharp research group from the University of Maryland managed to pinpoint, and it’s published in Science Advances. Talk about diving deep. I hope they brought their snorkels!
Journey to the Center of the Earth… Without the Cartoons!
So how did they figure this out? With a technique that most would probably file under “How-Was-That-Not-In-The-Movie?”—seismic waves! Yes, these clever folks sent seismic waves through the Earth and analyzed how they interacted with what’s down there. Think of it as a giant Earth-sized X-ray machine. As if our planet were just a giant jigsaw puzzle that needed a little shaking to uncover its hidden treasures.
Thanks to this seismic imaging (no, it’s not a trendy new tech gadget), the team not only got a clearer view of the mantle region beneath the Pacific Ocean but also stumbled upon a very thick section sandwiched between the crust and core. Hold onto your hard hats, because this thick patch turns out to be an ancient ocean floor that sank long ago, trapped 660 kilometers deep! Think of it as the Earth’s version of keeping your old gym socks under your bed—only, you know, less pungent.
How Did an Ocean Get Stuck Underground?
Let’s talk about a little geologic process called subduction—a fancy word for when tectonic plates, those colossal bits of crust, decide to slide under each other, taking bits of the ocean floor along for the ride. It’s like a merry-go-round of crustal chaos! But here’s the kicker: this ancient ocean floor didn’t just get annihilated or melded into whatever was nearby; it was preserved for eons.
Our new best friend, Jingchuan Wang, the principal investigator of this mind-boggling study, pointed out that the rock seems to have been “trapped” in a particularly chilly and dense area of the mantle, fittingly termed the transition zone. Apparently, it’s so cold down there that it’s like an endless winter—no wonder the ocean wasn’t in a rush to get out!
A New Geological Enigma—What’s Cooking, Mother Earth?
This discovery helps illuminate how stuff moves inside Earth. You think your morning routine is complicated? Try understanding the mechanics behind how mountains, volcanoes, and oceans are born! Even better, it sheds light on the frequent existential dread we call earthquakes. Many of them are linked to the movement of those tectonic plates—the very ones dragging this ancient ocean floor beneath the surface!
As Wang puts it, “These ancient seabeds give us a unique window into Earth’s past that we’ve never seen before.” So, essentially, we’ve stumbled upon a geological time capsule of sorts—now that’s what I call eco-tourism!
What’s next? Well, scientists will be exploring other parts of the Pacific to hunt for more “fossils” like this—it’s like a treasure hunt but without the pirate hats. “This is just the beginning,” Mr. Wang tells us, emphasizing that many more ancient structures await discovery beneath the Earth. If we keep this up, we might just need a new planet to store all our findings!
So, let’s raise a glass to our brave scientists diving deep into our planet’s mysteries. Who knows what other colorful secrets lie just below the surface? One thing’s for sure: the Earth is full of surprises, just like your last three Tinder dates!
References and Sources:
- Jingchuan Wang., et al. Mesozoic intraoceanic subduction shaped the lower mantle beneath the East Pacific Rise (2024). Science Advances.
- School of Computer Science, Mathematics and Natural Sciences at the University of Maryland. Ancient Sunken Seafloor Reveals Earth’s Deep Secrets (2024). Published in the Faculty news section.
A fragment of the ocean floor, submerged a staggering 250 million years ago, has the potential to fundamentally alter our understanding of the intricate processes that occur within the Earth’s interior.
This remarkable find, detailed in a study published in the journal Science Advances, challenges long-standing theories regarding the internal structure of our planet and unveils novel insights into the geological processes that formed the Earth’s surface.
Journey to the center of the Earth
In a bid to unearth these discoveries, a dedicated team of scientists harnessed a technique akin to advanced scanning technology designed specifically for our planet.
They transmitted seismic waves through the Earth, meticulously analyzing how these waves reflected and distorted along the way. In doing so, they crafted a detailed “x-ray” of the Earth’s interior.
Utilizing this sophisticated form of seismic imaging, akin to a highly specialized scanner, the researchers meticulously examined a mantle region concealed beneath the Pacific Ocean, specifically in the Eastern Pacific submarine ridge. It was here that they uncovered a thick layer of material located deep within the Earth’s structure that lies nestled between the vibrant crust and the molten core.
This substantial layer turned out to be an ancient ocean floor that had gradually sunk and become entrapped millions of years ago—specifically around 660 kilometers into the Earth’s mantle!
How did an ocean get trapped underground?
Approximately 250 million years ago, as dinosaurs began to spread across the planet, a significant section of ocean floor undertook a slow descent into the mantle, the rocky layer beneath the Earth’s crust.
This phenomenon, known as “subduction,” transpires when tectonic plates—massive sections of the Earth’s crust—engulf and slide beneath one another, dragging segments of the ocean floor into the depths. However, what distinguishes this case is that this particular ocean floor never completely disintegrated; parts of it remained surprisingly intact.
The study reveals that some remnants of the ocean floor were “trapped” at this extraordinary depth, preserving their structure and characteristics for millions of years. Jingchuan Wang, the principal investigator of this groundbreaking study, elucidates in a press release from the School of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences at the University of Maryland that “the rock appears to have been ‘trapped’ in a region of the mantle referred to as the transition zone, a place characterized by extreme cold and density that significantly slowed its movement.”
A new geological enigma
This captivating discovery enhances our comprehension of how matter circulates within the Earth and sheds light on the processes that lead to the formation of mountains, volcanoes, and oceans.
Furthermore, it enriches our understanding of the triggers behind earthquakes, many of which correlate closely with the movements of tectonic plates, like the ones responsible for sinking and entrapping this ancient floor.
“These ancient seabeds provide us with a unique lens into the geological history of our planet, revealing a past that was previously obscured,” remarks Jingchuan Wang, a distinguished geologist and the principal researcher.
The research team is now eager to embark on expeditions to further explore other locations within the Pacific, in search of additional “fossils” of this nature that could help complete the narrative of ancient tectonic plate movements.
“This is just the beginning,” asserts Mr. Wang, emphasizing the belief that “countless other ancient structures await discovery in the depths of the Earth.”
Article references and sources:
– Jingchuan Wang., et al. Mesozoic intraoceanic subduction shaped the lower mantle beneath the East Pacific Rise.(2024). Science Advances.
– School of Computer Science, Mathematics and Natural Sciences at the University of Maryland. Ancient Sunken Seafloor Reveals Earth’s Deep Secrets. (2024) Published in the Faculty news section.
