Articles tagged with Earth Mantle
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A new 'Goldilocks Zone' has been discovered in the Earth's crust, allowing critical metals like gold, copper, and tellurium to pass upwards. This finding sheds light on planetary cycles of metals and could enable more targeted mineral exploration, reducing environmental impact.
A recent study suggests that a chemical compound called magnesium hydrosilicate, stable at high pressures and temperatures, could have stored water deep within the Earth's mantle during its violent early days. This finding has significant implications for understanding the origin of water on Earth and potentially habitable exoplanets.
Research reveals that magmas from Mount Etna and Mount Vulture have extremely high Nb/Ta ratios, indicating a deep carbon-rich lithospheric mantle beneath southern Italy. This process contributes significantly to global volcanic CO2 emissions.
Researchers have discovered that Earth's interior is cooling at a faster rate than expected, with implications for plate tectonics and the planet's overall activity. The study suggests that this increased heat flow will accelerate mantle convection, leading to a faster cooling of the Earth.
A new study found that krypton isotopes in the deep mantle reveal a clearer picture of Earth's formation, contradicting the popular theory of volatile elements arrival. The research suggests that planetesimals from the cold outer solar system bombarded the Earth early on.
Researchers successfully reproduced the formation of methane from diamonds under high-pressure conditions, shedding light on the deep Earth's carbon cycle. This finding suggests that hydrocarbons like methane can be created without biological activities, which has significant implications for our understanding of the planet's climate.
The Sierra Nevada mountain range in California has a complex history, with two distinct periods of formation. The ancient range was formed around 100 million years ago as a volcanic chain, but was later dwarfed by a vast plateau. Volcanic activity around 40 million to 20 million years ago lifted the Earth's surface, forming new mountai...
Researchers from UNLV have discovered a new mineral, davemaoite, which originated between 410-560 miles deep within the Earth's lower mantle. The calcium silicate compound was trapped in a diamond and preserved due to its incredible strength, making it possible for scientists to study its structure.
Researchers have identified a quantum phase transition in ferropericlase, a mineral abundant in the lower mantle. The study, published in Nature Communications, confirms earlier predictions and suggests this phenomenon may increase tectonic events like earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
A University of Queensland-led study reveals that hot spot volcanoes do not produce 'pristine' magma from the melting mantle but instead filter a different melt to the surface. This new information supports the notion that detection of magma at the crust-mantle boundary could indicate an upcoming eruption.
Researchers from ETH Zurich analyzed data from NASA's InSight mission, revealing that Mars' crust, mantle, and core have distinct structures. The findings suggest that Mars was once completely molten, but now has a thinner crust with a relatively high proportion of radioactive elements.
The InSight mission has successfully mapped the internal structure of Mars using seismic waves detected by the SEIS instrument. The analysis revealed an estimate of the core size, crust thickness and mantle structure, providing valuable information on the planet's formation and thermal evolution.
Researchers suggest that volcanic eruptions comparable to Krakatau on Earth could be responsible for the presence of phosphine in Venus' atmosphere. The study models calculate that small amounts of phosphides from deep mantle sources could react with sulfuric acid to form phosphine.
Scientists found that a rift in the Earth's crust was caused by a super volcano splitting the Indian Plate from Africa. The process involved the rotation of the continental plates due to the subcontinent acting like an axis.
Researchers found ancient diamonds with gases similar to those in the modern mantle, indicating little change in atmospheric volatiles over the last 2.7 billion years. This suggests that essential volatile elements like carbon and nitrogen were present on Earth soon after its formation.
Scientists have discovered a new mineral, allabogdanite, at the Dead Sea that was previously only found in meteorites. The discovery has implications for our understanding of Earth's surface conditions and geological processes.
Researchers from Uppsala University and others found new clues about Indonesia's explosive volcanoes by analyzing lava minerals. The study enhances our understanding of how volcanism in the Indonesian archipelago works, helping predict volcanic eruptions.
New analysis of Venus' surface reveals evidence of tectonic motion in the form of crustal blocks that have jostled against each other. The movement of these blocks could indicate that Venus is still geologically active and give scientists insight into both exoplanet tectonics and the earliest tectonic activity on Earth.
Scientists conducted new experiments on carbon partitioning between metal and silicate using chondritic starting materials. The results suggest that planetary embryos may have had nearly saturated carbon content in their mantles, which could be a natural consequence of core-mantle partitioning during Earth's formation.
Researchers found clear reflected seismic phases between 410-km and 660-km, indicating subducted oceanic plates are trapped at the bottom of the mantle transition zone. This discovery sheds light on mantle dynamics and circulation of deep materials.
Researchers from Heidelberg University found solar noble gases in an iron meteorite, indicating that solar wind particles encased in the Earth's core over 4.5 billion years ago. The discovery suggests a new perspective on the Earth's mantle and its geochemical development.
A new study by an interdisciplinary team of scientists has discovered a vast microbial ecosystem living deep within the Earth's crust that traps massive amounts of carbon. The microbes, called chemolithoautotrophs, sequester carbon produced during subduction by using chemical energy to build their bodies.
A new study suggests that early Earth's hotter mantle could have stored more water than today, leading to a larger global ocean. The findings challenge previous assumptions about the size of the ocean and offer clues to its evolution over time.
A research group led by Dr. Qingyang Hu discovered a hydrous mineral that enters an exotic superionic phase, similar to water ice in giant planets. The team found that this superionic state may lead to a significant increase in electrical conductivity, potentially changing our understanding of Earth's mantle convection.
Researchers are investigating the origins of a lost ocean fragment below Western US, using simulations and modeling to recreate its position and movement over time. The study aims to improve understanding of the Earth's interior behavior, earthquake forecasts, and mineral exploration.
Scientists have discovered that the high silica content in ancient rocks formed in the Earth's mantle is linked to a significant change in the planet's interior around 2.5 billion years ago. This boundary may have been caused by changes in the mantle's flow, leading to the loss of extremely high temperatures.
A team of seismologists has discovered a new mechanism driving the separation of the Atlantic plates, with evidence of an upwelling in the mantle from depths of over 600 km. This finding provides greater understanding of plate tectonics and its role in natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis.
Researchers used ancient crystals to test the theory that portions of Earth's ancient crust acted as 'seeds' for later generations of crust. A three-billion-year-old magmatic event led to a global spike in crust production, matching regions worldwide and pointing to a significant widespread event.
Researchers discovered that mantle convection on early Earth was surprisingly slow and spatially restricted until around 3 billion years ago. This finding suggests that the onset of modern plate tectonics triggered the emergence of large continental masses and an oxygen-rich atmosphere, setting the stage for complex life.
The study reveals that the release of internal primordial heat caused large melting in the shallow mantle, extruding magma onto the Earth's surface. This led to the formation of keels of the first continents and made them weak and prone to destruction. The process resulted in the emergence of life on Earth.
Researchers at KAUST have updated the model for earthquake-prone regions like California, finding that the strength lies in the upper crust and the lower crust exhibits more ductility over time. This 'crème brûlée' model supports regional hazard assessments for populated territories.
Al-phase D mineral discovered to transport and host water up to 1200 km in lower mantle, improving stability against pressure and temperature. Researchers measured sound velocities and density of Al-phase D using synchrotron X-ray techniques, providing clear understanding of seismic velocities of hydrous rocks.
Researchers have discovered a new high-pressure mineral in the lunar meteorite Oued Awlitis 001, which is composed of calcium, aluminum, and silicon atoms. The newly found mineral donwilhelmsite forms at depths of 460-700 kilometers and has relevance for understanding subducted terrestrial sediments
Researchers report that niobium readily dissolves in iron under high temperatures and pressures consistent with the Earth's core formation. This finding supports core formation models suggesting that the core did not form under highly reducing or oxidizing conditions, but rather was constrained by the sequestration of niobium.
Researchers have found that the Earth's mantle has a different composition to its upper layer, contradicting long-held assumptions. Lab experiments and seismic wave analysis suggest that silicon is present in the lower mantle, not the core.
Researchers found evidence that thinning of the lithosphere is generating heat needed to initiate process of stabilizing continental crust. This challenges previous understanding of mountain building and suggests a new mechanism for continent stability.
A University of Alberta PhD student has shed new light on the Earth's carbon cycle using diamonds as breadcrumbs. The study proposes a model where 'superdeep' diamonds crystallize from carbon-rich magmas, which may be critical for their growth.
Researchers at ETH Zurich propose an alternative theory for the formation of the Alps, suggesting that the mountains were uplifted by the subduction of the Eurasian plate beneath the Adriatic microplate. This new model simulates the processes leading to the formation of the Alps and explains the observed seismicity in the region.
Scientists have discovered that a small fraction of carbonate melt is present throughout the Earth's mantle, storing a large mass of carbon. This finding sheds light on seismology and its connection to climate change.
Researchers found that carbonate-rich molten rock can alter the physical properties of rocks, affecting seismic waves. The study provides new insights into the elasticity, density, and compressibility of these rocks, potentially revealing a substantial carbon reservoir in the Earth's deep upper mantle.
Researchers investigated the dynamics of the Earth's transition zone, a boundary layer between ~410 and ~660 km depth. They found that deformation mechanisms shift from dislocation creep to pure climb creep at geological stresses, influencing the Earth's geochemical evolution.
Computer simulations revealed that Venus' coronae topography depends on crust thickness and magma activity, classifying over 100 large coronae into active and inactive groups. The 'Ring of Fire' in Venus' southern hemisphere is a zone expelling high levels of rising plume material.
The geodynamo generates Earth's magnetic field through the motion of liquid iron in the outer core. New research examines how lighter elements like silicon could drive this process, suggesting a concentration of 8 weight percent silicon is sufficient to sustain the geodynamo on heat transmission alone for the planet's entire history.
Researchers found two chemically distinct hemispheric faces, with the Pacific ring of fire being the surface expression of the boundary between them. The African domain contains continental materials brought down by subduction systems, while the Pacific domain has been protected from such infiltration.
A team of geochemists at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory has solved the mystery of Earth's vanishing crust by discovering a distinct chemical fingerprint for subducted crust. They found that about 5-6% of the Earth's mantle is made of recycled crust, contradicting prevailing theories on crust formation rates.
Researchers have created complex computer simulations to study the properties of salt in water under high pressure and temperature conditions, similar to those found in the Earth's mantle. The models revealed key molecular changes that could impact understanding of chemical reactions at these extreme depths.
Researchers study syenite intrusion in Kerguelen plateau, finding similarities to continental crust formations; discovery challenges conventional understanding of continent creation
Researchers found isotopic evidence of early Earth differentiation in samarium and neodymium isotope ratios. The study suggests that plate tectonics have regulated the planet's chemical evolution since its history began.
Researchers have found evidence of a major 'stirring up' in the mantle layer around 3.2 billion years ago, indicating the start of global plate tectonic activity. This discovery has implications for our understanding of the evolution of life on Earth and the formation of mineral and energy resources.
Early oxygen accumulation in Earth's atmosphere dates back to 2.4 billion years ago, with volcanic gases likely holding it back until a less-oxidized mantle became more oxidized, allowing oxygen to flood the air.
A new study using crowd-sourced GPS data reveals signs of a rising mantle plume beneath the Eifel region in western Germany. The research suggests that this ancient volcanic system may still be active, posing an increased risk of seismic activity and volcanic eruptions.
A new study proposes a model for the formation of diamond-bearing kimberlites in Northern Alberta, which was caused by the movement of an ancient slab of oceanic rocks. The research combines geophysical imaging, geochronological dating and plate motion calculation to explain how diamonds came to Earth's surface.
Research finds that ferropericlase transforms into superoxide when exposed to water at deep lower mantle conditions. The discovery suggests the lower mantle is locally oxidized where water is present, contrary to previous theories.
Researchers have developed a way to study liquid silicates at extreme conditions, providing clues about the Earth's origin story and the formation of rocky planets. The study may lead to a better understanding of the planet's early molten days and potentially unlock secrets of exoplanets.
Researchers have developed a new tool to predict volcanic eruptions by analyzing the composition of gases in the atmosphere. The tool uses precise measurements to identify the contribution of the atmosphere and Earth's mantle to these gases, allowing for more accurate predictions of future eruptions.
A new study suggests that heavier iron isotopes migrate towards lower temperatures and into the mantle, while lighter isotopes remain in the core. This phenomenon could be causing core material to infiltrate the lowermost mantle, enriching it in heavy iron isotopes.
Scientists discovered that more carbon than expected stayed in the mantle, suggesting it was sequestered into lighter elements like silicon and oxygen in the core. Despite this, the majority of Earth's total carbon inventory still likely exists in the core.
Researchers estimate Earth's core is composed of approximately 80-90% of the planet's bulk carbon, with a tiny fraction present in the core itself. The study measured the preference of carbon for mixing with iron and nickel at high pressures and temperatures, revealing a significantly lower affinity than previously reported.
New studies propose that Earth's mantle, rather than its core, was responsible for generating the planet's early magnetic field. This concept is supported by estimates of thermodynamics of magnetic field generation within the liquid portion of the early Earth's mantle.
Scientists from the University of Cologne found that water, carbon, and nitrogen were delivered to Earth very late in its history, contradicting previous assumptions. The researchers used rare platinum metal isotope abundances to constrain the delivery time, suggesting a late veneer phase around 3.8 billion years ago.