Ocean Beneath Earth's Crust - Fact or Fiction?

The concept of an ocean beneath Earth's crust has been a topic of scientific discussion for years. Recently, the topic has resurfaced in the news with claims that scientists have discovered proof of its existence. However, is this ocean beneath the Earth's crust a fact or merely a fiction? In this article, we will delve deeper into the subject and separate fact from fiction.

The Ringwoodite Theory

In 2014, researchers claimed that they had discovered proof of an ocean beneath the Earth's crust. The discovery was made after scientists found a rare mineral, Ringwoodite, within a diamond that had been excavated from the Earth's mantle. Ringwoodite is a mineral that forms only under extreme pressure and temperature, such as those found in the Earth's mantle.

The discovery of Ringwoodite within a diamond led scientists to conclude that it was proof of a vast reservoir of water beneath the Earth's crust. According to the researchers, the water was held within a layer of Ringwoodite located between 410 and 660 kilometers beneath the Earth's surface.

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However, not all scientists agreed with this theory. Some scientists believed that the discovery of Ringwoodite within a diamond did not necessarily prove the existence of an ocean beneath the Earth's crust. Instead, they argued that the Ringwoodite could have been formed by the interaction of water and rock at high pressure and temperature within the Earth's mantle.

The Controversy Surrounding the Ringwoodite Theory

The Ringwoodite theory was not without its controversies. Some scientists argued that the Ringwoodite discovery was a result of contamination from the diamond. They argued that the Ringwoodite could have been formed through chemical reactions that took place within the diamond during its formation. Moreover, the pressure and temperature required for the formation of Ringwoodite were so extreme that it was unlikely for an ocean to exist at that depth.

Additionally, other researchers pointed out that the amount of water required to form an ocean beneath the Earth's crust was simply too large to be accounted for by the Ringwoodite discovery. They argued that even if an ocean did exist, it would be much smaller than what the Ringwoodite theory suggested.

The Latest Findings

Recently, a new study published in the journal Nature Geoscience has shed new light on the subject. The study found evidence of a massive reservoir of water located beneath the Earth's crust. According to the researchers, the reservoir is located about 700 kilometers beneath the Earth's surface and is estimated to be at least the size of the Arctic Ocean.

The researchers used seismic waves to map the Earth's interior and detect the presence of the reservoir. They also found that the water was not contained within a layer of Ringwoodite, as previously thought, but was held within a porous rock called bridgmanite.

So, the concept of an ocean beneath the Earth's crust is no longer a fiction but a fact. While the Ringwoodite theory was controversial, the latest findings have confirmed the existence of a vast reservoir of water beneath the Earth's crust. However, more research is needed to understand the nature and size of this reservoir and its impact on the Earth's geological processes.

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Ocean Beneath Earth's Crust - Fact or Fiction?