Scientists Confirm Mantle Holds 1-3 Ocean Volumes of Water at 410-660 Kilometers
Updated
Updated · spacedaily.com · Jun 4
Scientists Confirm Mantle Holds 1-3 Ocean Volumes of Water at 410-660 Kilometers
1 articles · Updated · spacedaily.com · Jun 4
Summary
A Brazilian diamond from about 660 kilometers deep and seismic data together indicate Earth’s mantle transition zone stores vast water locked inside ringwoodite, likely exceeding all surface freshwater and possibly rivaling several oceans.
Infrared analysis found hydroxyl bound in the ringwoodite crystal lattice, not liquid water; if similar hydration extends across the 410-660 kilometer transition zone, the reservoir could equal 1-3 times ocean volume.
USArray seismic observations beneath North America detected a broad partial-melt layer atop the 660-kilometer boundary, matching predictions that hydrated ringwoodite releases water when pushed into the lower mantle.
That deep water is not recoverable as a resource: the Kola Superdeep reached only 12.262 kilometers, far short of pressures above 13-23 gigapascals and temperatures near 1,500-1,900C in the transition zone.
The finding reshapes Earth’s water budget by showing the surface hydrosphere is only a thin outer layer, while deep mantle cycling through subduction and volcanism may help stabilize ocean volumes over geologic time.
A hidden ocean helps stabilize our planet. What happens if this deep Earth water cycle is ever disturbed?
Earth has a vast hidden ocean. So why is humanity racing to find water on the Moon and Mars?
Was Earth’s hidden ocean born from its molten interior, or did it fall from the stars in ancient asteroids?
Earth's Hidden Ocean: The Discovery and Implications of a Vast Water Reservoir Deep Within the Mantle
Overview
Recent scientific breakthroughs have confirmed the existence of a massive water reservoir deep within Earth's mantle, fundamentally changing our understanding of the planet's interior. This discovery reveals that, under immense pressure and high temperatures, water molecules split into hydroxyl radicals, which become trapped within the crystal structures of mantle minerals. As these minerals descend deeper, they can hold even more water, showing that water is not just a surface feature but a key player in Earth's internal processes. This hidden water profoundly influences geological activity and the planet's long-term evolution.