Scientists have made a remarkable discovery that water from Earth's surface is slowly making its way deep into the planet, carried by sinking tectonic plates. As the water descends nearly 2,900 kilometers, it eventually reaches the boundary between the Earth's outer core and mantle.
There, it interacts with materials in the Earth's interior, forming a new thin layer between the molten core and the solid mantle. This process, which has occurred over billions of years, plays a critical role in shaping Earth's internal structure, according to Indy100.
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Water's Hidden Role in Earth's Deep Interior Revealed by New Research
Researchers from Arizona State University revealed that when water reaches the core-mantle boundary, it triggers a chemical reaction with silicon, creating silica. This newly formed layer is only a few hundred kilometers thick, but it provides key insights into how Earth's deep layers interact.
For a long time, scientists believed there was little exchange between Earth's core and mantle, but this discovery challenges that view. The interaction between water and deep Earth materials is far more dynamic than previously understood.
The findings also suggest that this deep-water cycle is an essential part of Earth's geochemical processes, with water playing a more significant role beneath the surface than previously thought.
Scientists are eager to further explore these findings and uncover more about how Earth's interior works, offering new perspectives on the complex systems that shape the planet's surface and interior.
