Did you know that our planet is mostly covered in water? In fact, 70% of the Earth’s surface is filled with the ocean. But did you also know that there is a huge body of water deep beneath our feet? This incredible discovery was made by scientists from Northwestern University in Illinois in 2014, and it has completely changed our understanding of the Earth’s interior.

Scientists have been debating for years about the origins of Earth’s water. Some thought that it came from icy comets that collided with the planet. But this new discovery suggests something different. Geophysicist Steven Jacobsen and his team found an enormous reservoir of water hidden 700 kilometers underground, three times larger than all the water on the Earth’s surface!

The scientists used seismometers to measure seismic waves from earthquakes and discovered that the waves were slowing down in certain parts of the Earth’s mantle. This indicated the presence of water deep within the planet. This underground ocean is a game-changer and could have significant implications for our understanding of Earth’s water cycle.

The water in the underground ocean is not in a liquid, gas, or solid-state. Instead, it is trapped inside a blue rock called ringwoodite. This rock acts like a sponge, attracting hydrogen and trapping water. The crystal structure of ringwoodite can hold up to 1.5 percent water, which is a significant amount considering it is hidden deep within the Earth.

This discovery could rewrite what we know about Earth’s water cycle. Instead of water being a surface phenomenon, it could be migrating through crevices and cracks from deep within the mantle. Scientists believe that this underground ocean plays a crucial role in maintaining the water on our planet’s surface. Without it, our planet could be a barren landscape.

While the discovery of the underground ocean challenges the theory that water came from icy comets, new data suggests that comets might still have played a role. The water in comets and our oceans may have a similar composition, implying that comets delivered more water to Earth than previously thought.

This discovery is just one example of the many groundbreaking findings that scientists are making about our planet. Earth’s complexity and hidden depths continue to surprise us. As scientists gather more seismic data from around the world, we may uncover even more evidence that reshapes our understanding of Earth’s geological history. The secrets of our planet are waiting to be uncovered.

Sources

• “How much water is in the ocean?” Ocean Service
• “New Evidence for Oceans of Water Deep in the Earth.” BNL. June 13, 2014
• “Comet Provides New Clues to Origins of Earth’s Oceans.” NASA. May 23, 2019.