November 16, 2024
Scientists at the University of Maryland, USA, have discovered a 250 million-year-old piece of seafloor in the mantle transition zone, the area between the Earth’s upper and lower mantle. Scientists believe this piece of seafloor became stuck midway as it sank through the Earth’s mantle millions of years ago, implying that the mantle transition zone impeded the movement of material that descended through it. This seafloor piece was found in the Pacific Ocean and is situated 410 to 660kms beneath the surface of the Earth. Scientists detected this chunk of land with the help of seismic waves. This discovery will enhance scientists’ understanding of tectonic plate activity.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Earth’s mantle mainly comprises magnesium oxide, silicon oxide and iron oxide.
Image for representational purposes
