Mount Everest, once crowned the tallest mountain on Earth, has been dethroned. Scientists have discovered two massive mountains beneath the Earth’s surface that are more than 100 times taller than Everest. The literal groundbreaking research was published recently in the journal Nature.
A Groundbreaking Seismic Discovery
The discovery of these enormous mountains, known as Large Low Seismic Velocity Provinces (LLSVPs), was made possible through the study of seismic waves. These waves, generated by powerful earthquakes, slow down when they pass through areas of different material densities.
By analyzing how seismic waves behave deep within the Earth, scientists were able to pinpoint the existence of these massive structures beneath the surface.
Located around 1,200 miles deep in the Earth’s mantle, these LLSVPs are situated beneath Africa and the Pacific Ocean. They are not just tall but also incredibly dense, offering scientists a rare glimpse into Earth’s ancient past.
While Mount Everest rises just 5.5 miles above sea level, the newly discovered mountains stretch far beyond, challenging previous ideas about the Earth’s inner layers.
Revealing Earth’s Ancient Geological History
Scientists believe that the LLSVPs could be the remnants of tectonic plates that sank deep into the mantle billions of years ago. This process, known as subduction, involves the downward movement of tectonic plates, taking materials from the Earth’s surface to the depths below.
These ancient formations may hold clues to Earth’s early geological history, suggesting that parts of the mantle may have remained stable for billions of years.
This discovery challenges the long-held belief that the Earth’s mantle is constantly changing and moving. Rather than being a dynamic, ever-shifting layer, parts of the mantle might be much more stable and ancient than previously thought.
Rethinking Our Understanding of the Earth’s Mantle
For years, scientists believed that the mantle was a fluid, constantly evolving layer of the Earth, with heat and material circulating through it. However, the discovery of these large, stable structures raises the possibility that parts of the mantle could remain unchanged for billions of years.
This new insight forces researchers to rethink the behavior of the mantle and consider the possibility that some areas are far more stable than we had imagined.
In addition to their size, these ancient formations are also hotter than the surrounding mantle material. This adds another layer of complexity to our understanding of mantle dynamics, making scientists rethink how heat is distributed within the Earth’s interior.
The Hidden Giants Beneath Our Feet
While Mount Everest may continue to reign as the tallest mountain above sea level, the true giants of Earth are hidden deep within the planet.
These massive LLSVPs lie far beyond our reach, yet their discovery has sparked excitement among researchers. With future advancements in seismic imaging, scientists hope to uncover even more hidden features of the Earth’s interior.
As technology improves, new insights into the planet’s deep structure may help us better understand how Earth evolved into the world we live on today.
