Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have made a groundbreaking discovery about the movement of Earth’s crust beneath North America. A study published in Nature Geoscience found that an ancient piece of crust, known as the Farallon slab, is slowly sinking into the mantle, causing the lithosphere above it to thin and form massive “drip-like” formations.
Using seismic imaging, scientists observed large sections of the North American crust being drawn down into the mantle, creating these underground structures. The process, called “cratonic thinning,” is expected to continue until the Farallon slab reaches a depth where its influence on the craton wanes.
The drips are thought to be caused by the long-subducted Farallon slab weakening the overlying lithosphere, making it prone to sinking into the mantle. The phenomenon has been observed beneath a wide region, including Michigan, Nebraska, and Alabama, with extensions as far north as Canada.
While there’s no immediate cause for concern, the study suggests that this process will continue slowly until it stops. The discovery provides valuable insights into the long-term evolution of continents and helps scientists understand how planets are recycled over time.
This study marks a significant breakthrough in understanding the movement of Earth’s crust and its impact on the planet’s surface.
Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/new-study-reveals-why-north-america-is-slowly-dripping-into-earths-mantle-101743952810245.html