Scientists in Tokyo, Japan have made a groundbreaking discovery that could change our understanding of Earth’s composition. A massive ocean has been found lurking beneath the Earth’s crust, containing more water than all of the oceans’ surface water combined.
The presence of this vast ocean beneath our feet could have significant implications for our understanding of the planet’s inner workings and the development of life on Earth. The discovery challenges previous assumptions about the distribution of water on our planet and opens up new avenues for research into the Earth’s geology.
Researchers used a sophisticated seismic wave analysis to detect the ocean located 400 miles beneath the Earth’s surface. The water is stored in a mineral called ringwoodite, which can trap water in its crystal structure under immense pressure and heat conditions.
This finding could also shed light on the water cycle deep within the Earth, potentially affecting volcanic activity and other geological processes. The presence of such a large reservoir of water deep underground may change our understanding of how water has shaped the Earth’s history and continues to influence its dynamics.