Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery that could rewrite our understanding of Earth’s interior. A new method of measuring structures deep within the planet has revealed numerous previously unknown “sunken worlds” hidden within the mantle, which are surprisingly similar to sunken chunks of the Earth’s crust. These anomalies appear in seemingly impossible places and leave researchers scratching their heads.
Using a new type of seismographic imaging, researchers have identified potential patches of ancient crust, known as subducted slabs, throughout the mantle. However, unlike previously identified subducted slabs, which are found in areas where tectonic plates collide or have smashed together, some of these new anomalies are located in places with no known tectonic activity.
This has led to a major mystery, as scientists are unsure how these blobs ended up in those locations. Theories suggest they may be made of crust-like material left over from the mantle’s creation 4 billion years ago or consist of similar dense materials that have grown within the mantle over time.
The discovery was made possible by a new method called full-waveform inversion, which uses computer models to combine seismographs into a single clear image. This method allowed researchers to analyze data on a global scale and identify patterns that were not visible before.
While the findings are intriguing, more research is needed to confirm whether these anomalies are actually subducted slabs or something else entirely. The variable density of the mantle and changing parameters make it challenging to analyze, but experts believe that artificial intelligence may hold the key to unlocking further insights in the future.
Source: https://www.space.com/the-universe/earth/scientists-discover-sunken-worlds-hidden-deep-within-earths-mantle-that-shouldnt-be-there