Researchers from ETH Zurich and the California Institute of Technology have made a groundbreaking discovery using seismic waves to uncover hidden clues about Earth’s composition. By analyzing data from every type of earthquake wave, they created a high-resolution model that reveals massive chunks of rock in the lower mantle, far from known subduction zones.
For over a century, scientists have used seismic waves to map the underground landscape, but processing power limitations have restricted their ability to detect subtle variations. The new study leveraged the Piz Daint supercomputer to process vast amounts of data, enabling researchers to build a more detailed picture of the lower mantle.
The findings suggest that zones similar to subduction areas are much more widespread than previously thought. Earth scientist Thomas Schouten believes these remnants could have multiple origins, including ancient silica-rich material or iron-rich rocks accumulating over billions of years.
Further research is needed to determine the composition and formation of these chunks, but this discovery opens up new avenues for understanding Earth’s evolution and internal dynamics. The study was published in Nature’s Scientific Reports.
Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/strange-blobs-found-deep-inside-earth-where-no-such-blobs-should-exist