In a groundbreaking study, scientists have uncovered a massive subterranean ocean located approximately 700 kilometers beneath Earth's surface. This hidden reservoir, concealed within a mineral called ringwoodite, contains an estimated three times more water than all of Earth's surface oceans combined. The discovery challenges previous theories about the origin and distribution of water on our planet, suggesting that a significant portion of Earth's water may have originated from within the planet itself. Geophysicists utilized seismic data from over 500 earthquakes, analyzed by 2,000 seismographs across the United States, to detect the presence of water in the deep mantle. The ringwoodite mineral acts like a sponge, trapping water molecules within its crystal structure, providing a unique insight into Earth's internal water cycle. dailygalaxy.com
This discovery has profound implications for our understanding of planetary water cycles and the potential for life beyond Earth. The presence of such vast underground oceans suggests that water may be more abundant and widespread in the universe than previously thought. Similar subsurface oceans have been identified on moons like Saturn's Mimas and Jupiter's Europa, raising the possibility of extraterrestrial life in these hidden aquatic environments. The study of these subsurface oceans not only enhances our knowledge of planetary geology but also informs the search for habitable worlds beyond our solar system. theatlantic.com