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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Water ice coats many outer solar system bodies – from Jupiter’s icy moon Ganymede (above) to interstellar dust. On Earth, ice freezes into a neat crystal lattice, but in the deep cold of space it was assumed to form a completely amorphous (glassy) solid. A new study by University College London and Cambridge scientists challenges this picture. Their computer simulations and X-ray tests on cosmic “low-density” ice suggest it actually contains tiny crystalline grains. In some models roughly 20–25% of the ice was in crystal form, overturning the long-held view that space ice is entirely structureless.
Simulations reveal hidden nanocrystals
According to the paper, computer simulations of space ice showed it contains nanocrystals. In one approach, researchers cooled virtual water to –120 °C at different rates to form model “ice cubes.” Depending on the cooling speed, the simulated ice ranged from fully amorphous to partly ordered. Structures with roughly 16–19% of the molecules in tiny crystal clusters best matched published X-ray data for low-density ice. In another simulation, thousands of nanometer-sized ice grains were packed together and then the remaining water molecules were randomized. This produced ice about 25% crystalline, yet still reproduced the known diffraction pattern.
In laboratory experiments the team also made actual low-density amorphous ice by vapor deposition and gentle compression. When these samples were slowly warmed to crystallize, the resulting ice showed a “memory” of its formation method.
Implications for planets and origins of life
The findings give “a good idea of what the most common form of ice in the Universe looks like at an atomic level,” which is important for models of planet and galaxy formation. They also bear on theories of life’s origins. Partly crystalline ice has less internal space to trap organic molecules, potentially making it a less efficient vehicle for amino acids or other prebiotic compounds. However, Dr. Davies notes that pockets of fully amorphous ice still exist, so cosmic dust grains and cometary ices could continue to harbor organic ingredients in those disordered regions.
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space ice, amorphous ice, crystalline ice, UCL, University of Cambridge, nanocrystals, planetary science, origins of life, X-ray diffraction, space research, Physical Review B
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