Researchers Uncover Potentially Widespread Zones in Earth’s Mantle
New research suggests that peculiar zones in the Earth’s mantle, where seismic waves slow dramatically, may be more common than previously thought. These ultra-low velocity zones (ULVZs) have intrigued scientists for years due to their ability to slow seismic waves by up to 50 percent. Recent findings indicate that these enigmatic features could be present across large areas of the mantle, not just near volcanic hotspots like Hawaii.
Uncovering ULVZs
ULVZs are found in the lower mantle near the boundary with the core. They were initially linked to volcanic hotspots, where molten rock rises from deep within the Earth. However, a new study led by geologist Michael Thorne, published in AGU Advances, suggests these zones might be widespread. Thorne’s team used data from deep earthquakes to model seismic wave travel and discovered patterns indicative of these slow-down zones beyond previously known locations.
Revealing New Insights
The research focused on waves from powerful quakes, which travel through various layers of the Earth, including the core and mantle. Precursor PKP waves, which arrive before the main seismic waves, were found to scatter off unknown features in the mantle. This led to the discovery of potential ULVZs not just under specific regions like the western Pacific, but also in areas such as North America, North Africa, and Papua New Guinea.
Possible Origins and Implications
There are theories suggesting that ULVZs might be remnants from ancient meteor impacts or that they could be actively formed today. Thorne speculates that these zones could result from mid-ocean basalt, formed at seafloor spreading ridges, which melts and creates pockets when subducted into the mantle. These pockets might then be redistributed by tectonic activity, contributing to the widespread nature of ULVZs.
Future Exploration
Understanding ULVZs could enhance our knowledge of volcanic hotspots and mantle dynamics. Despite the progress, many questions remain unanswered. As researchers continue to explore these mysterious features, they hope to uncover more about the processes shaping our planet’s interior.
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Evidence has emerged pointing to a significant role played by an ancient geographic hotspot in shaping the Great Lakes. Researchers have linked the formation of these massive water bodies to a hotspot that interacted with the Earth’s lithosphere millions of years ago. While the lakes are commonly attributed to glacial activity during the Ice Age, recent findings suggest that deeper geological processes may have contributed to their formation, providing insight into their extraordinary depth and size.
Study Highlights Geological Interactions
According to research published in Geophysical Research Letters, a team of scientists from the University of Houston and the University of Arizona investigated the Cape Verde hotspot’s historical activity. Hotspots, known for generating heat and material flow from the Earth’s mantle, are believed to have influenced the Great Lakes region approximately 225 to 300 million years ago. As Pangea, the ancient supercontinent, moved over this hotspot, thinning of the lithosphere occurred, making the ground beneath more susceptible to external forces.
Seismic Clues Support Hotspot Theory
As reported by phys.org, data from seismic wave analyses supported these claims. Unusual horizontal wave movement beneath the lakes indicated lithospheric deformation. This anomaly aligned with the passage of North America over the hotspot during its drift over geological time. These conditions, as reported, would have created a weakened crust, later amplified by glacial activity during the Ice Age.
Hotspot’s Legacy in the Great Lakes Formation
The research outlines how the Cape Verde hotspot likely underlay Lake Superior, Lake Huron, and Lake Erie at different points in history, contributing to the geological features that enabled the Great Lakes to form. The fragile crust allowed ice to carve deeper and larger depressions than would have been possible otherwise, creating the unique landscape seen today.
These findings reshape understanding of the Great Lakes’ origins, suggesting that both deep-Earth processes and surface phenomena played critical roles in their formation.
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