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Source-This post on Ringwoodite has been created based on the article “Gigantic Ocean Discovered 700 km Below Earth’s Surface, Holds Three Times More Water Than All Oceans Combined” published in “Agriculture World” on 17 April 2024.
Why in the news?
Scientists have recently discovered a hidden ocean which is 700 km below earth’s Surface. The ocean is located within a mineral called ringwoodite.
About Ringwoodite
Description-It is a fascinating mineral that exists in the Earth’s transition zone.
Formation-It is a rare type of mineral that forms from olivine under very high pressures and temperatures. The heavy weight of rocks hundreds of kilometers thick and extremely high temperatures above 1,000 degrees Celsius (1,832 Fahrenheit) break down water into its components.
Properties-
1) This mineral has a special crystal structure that can soak up water and hydrogen, like a sponge. It can hold a lot of water.
2) When these water-containing minerals reach specific depths, they break down through dehydration, releasing the water to create magmas. Such “dehydration melting” is common in the shallow mantle and forms the source for magmas in many volcanoes.
What is the significance of this discovery?
1) This ocean is much larger than all the surface oceans combined. Its size raises questions about current theories on the source of earth’s water and suggests new inquiries into the planet’s formation and development.
2) This finding strongly suggests that Earth’s water might have come from deep within the planet. With the passage of time, it slowly leaked out from the core, explaining why earth has so much water.
3) This internal water source could also play a role in volcanic activity and the formation of new crust.
Read more-Critical minerals
UPSC Syllabus-Geography in news.
