Scientists have made an astonishing discovery: a massive ocean hidden beneath the Earth’s crust, functioning as a colossal reservoir of water trapped within a mineral known as “ringwoodite,” situated about 400 miles deep.
Researchers revealed that water exists within the mantle rock in an atypical sponge-like state—not quite solid, liquid, or gas but a unique fourth state, as reported by Indy100.
This groundbreaking research was published in a 2014 paper titled “Dehydration Melting at the Top of the Lower Mantle.”
Geophysicist Steve Jacobsen, a member of the research team, explained, “Ringwoodite acts like a sponge, absorbing water due to its remarkable crystal structure that enables it to attract hydrogen and trap water.” He noted that this mineral can hold substantial amounts of water under the extreme conditions of the deep mantle.
Jacobsen further stated, “We are beginning to observe evidence of a whole-Earth water cycle, which may clarify the substantial quantities of liquid water found on the surface of our habitable planet. Scientists have been seeking this elusive deep water for decades.”
The discovery stemmed from studies of seismic activity, where scientists detected shockwaves below the Earth’s surface using seismometers. This technology allowed them to confirm that water is stored in ringwoodite.
Researchers estimate that if this rock holds just 1% water, it implies that there is three times more water beneath the Earth than exists in all of the oceans combined.
Additionally, in another important find, scientists uncovered an entirely new ecosystem by deploying an underwater robot to explore volcanic crust.
