The discovery of a “sticky” layer under the surface of the earth

New research has found that, some 150 kilometers (93 miles) below Earth’s surface, there is an unknown layer of molten rock, which could help scientists learn more about the movements of Earth’s tectonic plates. Detecting this sticky layer will help researchers better understand how tectonic plates “float” on this mantle layer, study lead author Gonlin Hua of the University of Texas at Austin told Live Science.

The molten rock lies in the asthenosphere, the uppermost layer of the mantle between about 80 km (50 miles) and 200 km (124 miles) below Earth’s surface.

Scientists can draw on wave data at seismic stations around the world and look for subtle changes in waveforms that indicate the types of material the waves are traveling through.