The mysterious structure of Earth and its mantle has kept scientists hooked, and they keep studying it to make new discoveries every day.&nbsp;

The geography of Earth already felt different from what was taught to many of us in schools when scientists discovered a missing continent under the crust of the Earth, 375 years after it went missing.

Now, scientists have stumbled upon a massive ocean which remained hidden under the crust of Earth for all these years. The ocean consists of water stored in a crystal structure of the ringwoodite rock.&nbsp;

<h2>How did the ocean form under Earth's crust?</h2>

According to scientists, a rock - called 'ringwoodite' - was present 400 miles underground and had a huge supply of water which got stored in it.

Earlier, scientists found that the water was stored in a mantle rock, which was a sponge-like state, that is not solid, liquid, or gas but a fourth state.

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The findings were published in a scientific&nbsp;paper&nbsp;titled "Dehydration melting at the top of the lower mantle" in 2014.

"The ringwoodite is like a sponge, soaking up water, there is something very special about the crystal structure of ringwoodite that allows it to attract hydrogen and trap water," stated geophysicist Steve Jacobsen, who was part of the team of scientists.

"This mineral can contain a lot of water under conditions of the deep mantle. I think we are finally seeing evidence for a whole Earth water cycle, which may help explain the vast amount of liquid water on the surface of our habitable planet. Scientists have been looking for this missing deep water for decades," he added.

The discovery was made by scientists after studying earthquakes and finding that seismometers were detecting under the surface of the Earth.

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Through the findings, scientists were able to ascertain that the water was present within the rock known as ringwoodite.

The presence of just 1 per cent of water in the ringwoodite rock meant that three times more water was present under the Earth's surface than is present in the five oceans on the surface.

Along with the ocean, the researchers&nbsp;made another significant discovery&nbsp;of an entirely new ecosystem when they checked the volcanic crust using an underwater robot.

(With inputs from agencies)

The mysterious structure of Earth and its mantle has kept scientists hooked, and they keep studying it to make new discoveries every day. The geography of Earth already felt different from what was taught to many of us in schools when scientists discovered a missing continent under the crust of the Earth, 375 years after it went missing.

The mysterious structure of Earth and its mantle has kept scientists hooked, and they keep studying it to make new discoveries every day. The geography of Earth already felt different from what was taught to many of us in schools when scientists discovered a missing continent under the crust of the Earth, 375 years after it went missing. Now, scientists have stumbled upon a massive ocean which remained hidden under the crust of Earth for all these years. The ocean consists of water stored in a crystal structure of the ringwoodite rock. How did the ocean form under Earth's crust? According to scientists, a rock - called 'ringwoodite' - was present 400 miles underground and had a huge supply of water which got stored in it. Earlier, scientists found that the water was stored in a mantle rock, which was a sponge-like state, that is not solid, liquid, or gas but a fourth state. Also Read: Huge water presence, three times greater than oceans of Earth, found in space The findings were published in a scientific paper titled "Dehydration melting at the top of the lower mantle" in 2014. "The ringwoodite is like a sponge, soaking up water, there is something very special about the crystal structure of ringwoodite that allows it to attract hydrogen and trap water," stated geophysicist Steve Jacobsen, who was part of the team of scientists. "This mineral can contain a lot of water under conditions of the deep mantle. I think we are finally seeing evidence for a whole Earth water cycle, which may help explain the vast amount of liquid water on the surface of our habitable planet. Scientists have been looking for this missing deep water for decades," he added. The discovery was made by scientists after studying earthquakes and finding that seismometers were detecting under the surface of the Earth. Also Read: China's gigantic hydroelectric dam has been changing spin of Earth. Here's how Through the findings, scientists were able to ascertain that the water was present within the rock known as ringwoodite. The presence of just 1 per cent of water in the ringwoodite rock meant that three times more water was present under the Earth's surface than is present in the five oceans on the surface. Along with the ocean, the researchers made another significant discovery of an entirely new ecosystem when they checked the volcanic crust using an underwater robot. (With inputs from agencies)

Earth has a hidden massive sixth ocean in a crystal structure under its crust. Here's why

The Earth's crust is continually being reshaped below the Konya Basin in the Central Anatolian Plateau of Türkiye over millions of years, as per the analysis of recent satellite data carried out by Earth scientists at the University of Toronto.

The researchers said that experimental simulations, in combination with geophysical, geodetic and geological data, explained that the basis has been going through the enigmatic sinking inside the rising plateau interior.&nbsp;

This observation further hinted at the existence of a new class of plate tectonics which has implications for other planets that do not contain Earth-like plates, like Mars and Venus.

In the study, which was&nbsp;published&nbsp;in&nbsp;Nature Communications, it was explained the region has been facing sinking because of the multi-stage lithospheric dripping which is a phenomenon for the rocky material's instability that creates the crust and upper mantle of Earth.

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Major landforms like basins and mountains are created at the surface after the dense rock fragments get detached from the surface and sink into the more fluid layer of the mantle of the planet.

"Looking at the&nbsp;satellite data, we observed a circular feature at the Konya Basin where the crust is subsiding or the basin is deepening," said lead author Julia Andersen, who is a PhD candidate at University of Toronto's Department of Earth Sciences at the Faculty of Arts &amp; Science, in the study.

"This prompted us to look at other geophysical data beneath the surface where we saw a seismic anomaly in the&nbsp;upper mantle&nbsp;and a thickened crust, telling us there is high-density material there and indicating a likely mantle lithospheric drip," he added.&nbsp;

<h2>Scientists explain what's happening beneath Earth's mantle</h2>

Speaking about the Earth's mantle, co-author of the study and a professor in the Department of Earth Sciences Russell Pysklywec said, "As the lithosphere thickened and dripped below the region, it formed a basin at the surface that later sprang up when the weight below broke off and sank into the deeper depths of the mantle."

Watch:&nbsp;Study Suggests Earth Had Saturn-Like Rings That Lasted For Tens Of Millions Of Years

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"We now see the process is not a one-time tectonic event and that the initial drip seems to have spawned subsequent daughter events elsewhere in the region, resulting in the curious rapid subsidence of the Konya Basin within the continuously rising plateau of Türkiye," he added.

Andersen further stated that the new discovery has hinted at the connection between basin formation events and plateau uplift. "Essentially, subsidence is occurring alongside the ongoing uplifting of the plateau," he said.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Earth's crust is continually being reshaped below the Konya Basin in the Central Anatolian Plateau of Türkiye over millions of years, as per the analysis of recent satellite data carried out by Earth scientists at the University of Toronto.

The Earth's crust is continually being reshaped below the Konya Basin in the Central Anatolian Plateau of Türkiye over millions of years, as per the analysis of recent satellite data carried out by Earth scientists at the University of Toronto. The researchers said that experimental simulations, in combination with geophysical, geodetic and geological data, explained that the basis has been going through the enigmatic sinking inside the rising plateau interior. This observation further hinted at the existence of a new class of plate tectonics which has implications for other planets that do not contain Earth-like plates, like Mars and Venus. In the study, which was published in Nature Communications, it was explained the region has been facing sinking because of the multi-stage lithospheric dripping which is a phenomenon for the rocky material's instability that creates the crust and upper mantle of Earth. Also Read: Earth likely had a ring around it 466 million years ago. It was created by... Major landforms like basins and mountains are created at the surface after the dense rock fragments get detached from the surface and sink into the more fluid layer of the mantle of the planet. "Looking at the satellite data, we observed a circular feature at the Konya Basin where the crust is subsiding or the basin is deepening," said lead author Julia Andersen, who is a PhD candidate at University of Toronto's Department of Earth Sciences at the Faculty of Arts & Science, in the study. "This prompted us to look at other geophysical data beneath the surface where we saw a seismic anomaly in the upper mantle and a thickened crust, telling us there is high-density material there and indicating a likely mantle lithospheric drip," he added. Scientists explain what's happening beneath Earth's mantle Speaking about the Earth's mantle, co-author of the study and a professor in the Department of Earth Sciences Russell Pysklywec said, "As the lithosphere thickened and dripped below the region, it formed a basin at the surface that later sprang up when the weight below broke off and sank into the deeper depths of the mantle." Watch: Study Suggests Earth Had Saturn-Like Rings That Lasted For Tens Of Millions Of Years "We now see the process is not a one-time tectonic event and that the initial drip seems to have spawned subsequent daughter events elsewhere in the region, resulting in the curious rapid subsidence of the Konya Basin within the continuously rising plateau of Türkiye," he added. Andersen further stated that the new discovery has hinted at the connection between basin formation events and plateau uplift. "Essentially, subsidence is occurring alongside the ongoing uplifting of the plateau," he said. (With inputs from agencies)

Earth's crust is 'dripping' beneath Central Anatolian Plateau of Türkiye. Here's what it means

The plate tectonics - which leads to splitting of the continents, creates mountains and leads to earthquakes - is likely to have started when Earth was very young, according to new research.&nbsp;

The new study states that plate tectonics began more than 4 billion years ago, which was not long before the planet got formed 4.5 billion years ago.&nbsp;

At this time, Earth was in the Hadean era when it was a fresh planet and very hot and had an ammonia-and-methane atmosphere. The atmosphere had enough water in it which later condensed into a planet-wide ocean.&nbsp;

In this era, Earth slowly cooled down and a solid outer crust was created. The crust was shaped by the tectonic plates' grinding movements.&nbsp;

Earlier, the researchers said that plate tectonics started in the Hadean, once the crust cooled down.

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Meanwhile, others believed that plate tectonics began around 3.2 billion years ago when some key changes took place in the makeup of the crust, as revealed by geochemistry.&nbsp;

However, some argue that the phenomenon is recent and its modern form evolved in the last couple of billion years.&nbsp;

<h2>Here's how crystals helped determine when plate tectonics started</h2>

Scientists have faced difficulty in deciding when plate tectonics started since there are no surviving rocks which are more than 4 billion years old.&nbsp;

The only way to determine this is by analysing tiny, tough crystals known as zircon, which date back to 4.4 billion years.&nbsp;

A subset of these crystals, which are known as S-type zircons, can help in understanding plate tectonics.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Earth slows down by 1.33 milliseconds

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These zircons are crystals and are formed in sedimentary rocks on land. They are pushed by tectonics into the mantle and re-emerge like metamorphic granites.&nbsp;

In the latest research which was published in the journal&nbsp;PNAS, a machine-learning model was used by the researchers to understand these S-type zircons. &nbsp;

The data collected from 300 zircons was first fed by the scientists and then the ability of the model was tested to determine whether 74 more zircons were S-type or not.&nbsp;

In the results, it was found that 35 per cent of the Jack Hills zircons were S-type. A few of these were found dating back to 4.2 billion years ago. This hinted that plate tectonics was moving rocks from the crust to the mantle and again back to the crust during the Hadean.

(With inputs from agencies)

The plate tectonics - which leads to splitting of the continents, creates mountains and leads to earthquakes - is likely to have started when Earth was very young, according to new research.

The plate tectonics - which leads to splitting of the continents, creates mountains and leads to earthquakes - is likely to have started when Earth was very young, according to new research. The new study states that plate tectonics began more than 4 billion years ago, which was not long before the planet got formed 4.5 billion years ago. At this time, Earth was in the Hadean era when it was a fresh planet and very hot and had an ammonia-and-methane atmosphere. The atmosphere had enough water in it which later condensed into a planet-wide ocean. In this era, Earth slowly cooled down and a solid outer crust was created. The crust was shaped by the tectonic plates' grinding movements. Earlier, the researchers said that plate tectonics started in the Hadean, once the crust cooled down. Also Read: Strictly speaking, Earth is not revolving around the Sun currently. Here's what it means Meanwhile, others believed that plate tectonics began around 3.2 billion years ago when some key changes took place in the makeup of the crust, as revealed by geochemistry. However, some argue that the phenomenon is recent and its modern form evolved in the last couple of billion years. Here's how crystals helped determine when plate tectonics started Scientists have faced difficulty in deciding when plate tectonics started since there are no surviving rocks which are more than 4 billion years old. The only way to determine this is by analysing tiny, tough crystals known as zircon, which date back to 4.4 billion years. A subset of these crystals, which are known as S-type zircons, can help in understanding plate tectonics. Watch: Earth slows down by 1.33 milliseconds These zircons are crystals and are formed in sedimentary rocks on land. They are pushed by tectonics into the mantle and re-emerge like metamorphic granites. In the latest research which was published in the journal PNAS, a machine-learning model was used by the researchers to understand these S-type zircons. The data collected from 300 zircons was first fed by the scientists and then the ability of the model was tested to determine whether 74 more zircons were S-type or not. In the results, it was found that 35 per cent of the Jack Hills zircons were S-type. A few of these were found dating back to 4.2 billion years ago. This hinted that plate tectonics was moving rocks from the crust to the mantle and again back to the crust during the Hadean. (With inputs from agencies)

Earth's crust took shape as plate tectonics started 4 billion years ago: study

Scientists in new research found a piece of rock which is likely to hold the answers to the mysteries of our planet and tell the world about its uniqueness. The researchers stumbled upon a part of the Earth’s crust which is likely to have been hidden for more than 3 billion years in Northern Europe’s oldest mountains in Finland.

Scientists in new research found a piece of rock which is likely to hold the answers to the mysteries of our planet and tell the world about its uniqueness. The researchers stumbled upon a part of the Earth’s crust which is likely to have been hidden for more than 3 billion years in Northern Europe’s oldest mountains in Finland. The discovery emphasises the formation of the continent and even suggests that the birth of Denmark and Scandinavia actually took place some 3.75 billion years ago in Greenland. “Our data suggest that the oldest part of Earth’s crust beneath Scandinavia originates in Greenland and is about 250 million years older than we previously thought,” said Professor Tod Waight, who is a geologist at the University of Copenhagen, in a statement. The traces of the ancient crust were first found in the mineral zircon by Waight and his colleagues and then its chemical fingerprint matched with some of the oldest rocks on the planet which were found in West Greenland. “The zircon crystals we found in river sand and rocks from Finland have signatures that point towards them being much older than anything ever found in Scandinavia while matching the age of Greenlandic rock sample,” said researcher Andreas Petersson, who was part of the study. “At the same time, the results of three independent isotope analyses confirm that Scandinavia’s bedrock was most likely linked to Greenland," he added. Also Read: Delving deep: Earth's crust holds more water than its ice caps, reveals study Norway, Finland, Sweden and Denmark sit above a section of the Earth’s crust which is called the Fennoscandian Shield, or the Baltic Shield. According to the scientists, this shield got detached from Greenland as a “seed” and moved for hundreds of millions of years till it “took root” where Finland exists today. The plate continued to develop here as new geological material accumulated near it and it slowly became Scandinavia. Earth existed like a watery planet when the crust got detached: Study The study emphasises that when the crust got detached from Greenland, the planet was very different from what it looks now. “Earth was probably a watery planet, like in the movie Waterworld, but without any oxygen in the atmosphere and without emergent crust,” said Prof Waight. “But, because that’s so far back in time, we can’t really be sure about what it actually looked like," he added. Watch: Melting polar ice is slowing earth's rotation As per his team, Earth stands out from its galactic neighbours because of the continental crust which is composed of granite. “This is unique in our solar system,” Petersson said. “And, evidence of liquid water and a granite crust are key factors when trying to identify habitable exoplanets and the possibility of life beyond Earth," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

A hidden Earth's crust suggests Scandinavia was born some 3.75 billion years ago in Greenland

Nearly 2,000 earthquakes hit a spot off the coast of Canada in a single&nbsp;day, which as per scientists was a hint that new oceanic crust is likely to be created through deep sea magmatic rupture.

These earthquakes are not a serious threat to people and are comparatively small and centred on a spot known as the Endeavour site, which is 150 miles off the coast of Vancouver Island.&nbsp;

This specific spot has various hydrothermal vents and is present on the Juan de Fuca Ridge. At this place, the ocean floor also spread apart.

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Doctoral candidate in marine geophysics at the University of Washington Zoe Krauss said that the area is not part of the subduction zone, which is a region where one tectonic plate has been sinking into the mantle below another plate.

"Mid-ocean ridges aren't actually capable of producing that large of earthquakes, not too far above a magnitude five. This is not going to trigger 'the big one' on the subduction zone," said Krauss, while speaking to Live Science.

Scientifically, the earthquakes have been interesting since they can reveal details regarding ways in which the ocean floor pulls apart and the new crust gets formed, said Krauss.

<h2>Juan de Fuca plate and the Pacific plate&nbsp;pulling apart at site</h2>

The Juan de Fuca plate and the Pacific plate have been pulling apart at the endeavour site, as per the scientists.

This pulling apart leads to the formation of long, linear fault lines on the Earth's crust and also thins it which allows magma to rise up. After the magma reaches the surface, it slowly cools and hardens and a new ocean crust is formed.

The Endeavour site is continuously monitored under the North-East Pacific Time-series Undersea Networked Experiments (NEPTUNE) which is run by Ocean Networks Canada.

Watch:&nbsp;Thai scientists regrow dying coral

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From 2018, the region has remained more seismically active, said Krauss. However, on March 6, the activity escalated as at least 200 small earthquakes rocked the seafloor every hour. The researchers detected a total of nearly 1,850 quakes in one day.

"The vast majority are less than magnitude one. They’re these little pops. But it’s pretty cool because it allows us to track where things are happening, where things are breaking and where things are moving around," Krauss said.

He added that the quakes most likely occurred because the seafloor was stretched to its maximum extent and a great amount of stress was built-up.

(With inputs from agencies)

Nearly 2,000 earthquakes hit a spot off the coast of Canada in a single day, which as per scientists was a hint that new oceanic crust is likely to be created through deep sea magmatic rupture.

Nearly 2,000 earthquakes hit a spot off the coast of Canada in a single day, which as per scientists was a hint that new oceanic crust is likely to be created through deep sea magmatic rupture. These earthquakes are not a serious threat to people and are comparatively small and centred on a spot known as the Endeavour site, which is 150 miles off the coast of Vancouver Island. This specific spot has various hydrothermal vents and is present on the Juan de Fuca Ridge. At this place, the ocean floor also spread apart. Also Read: Now, landslide tsunamis can be detected in minutes: Study Doctoral candidate in marine geophysics at the University of Washington Zoe Krauss said that the area is not part of the subduction zone, which is a region where one tectonic plate has been sinking into the mantle below another plate. "Mid-ocean ridges aren't actually capable of producing that large of earthquakes, not too far above a magnitude five. This is not going to trigger 'the big one' on the subduction zone," said Krauss, while speaking to Live Science. Scientifically, the earthquakes have been interesting since they can reveal details regarding ways in which the ocean floor pulls apart and the new crust gets formed, said Krauss. Juan de Fuca plate and the Pacific plate pulling apart at site The Juan de Fuca plate and the Pacific plate have been pulling apart at the endeavour site, as per the scientists. This pulling apart leads to the formation of long, linear fault lines on the Earth's crust and also thins it which allows magma to rise up. After the magma reaches the surface, it slowly cools and hardens and a new ocean crust is formed. The Endeavour site is continuously monitored under the North-East Pacific Time-series Undersea Networked Experiments (NEPTUNE) which is run by Ocean Networks Canada. Watch: Thai scientists regrow dying coral From 2018, the region has remained more seismically active, said Krauss. However, on March 6, the activity escalated as at least 200 small earthquakes rocked the seafloor every hour. The researchers detected a total of nearly 1,850 quakes in one day. "The vast majority are less than magnitude one. They’re these little pops. But it’s pretty cool because it allows us to track where things are happening, where things are breaking and where things are moving around," Krauss said. He added that the quakes most likely occurred because the seafloor was stretched to its maximum extent and a great amount of stress was built-up. (With inputs from agencies)

2,000 quakes rock a spot on Canada coast, cause ocean floor to 'rip apart': scientists

In a new study, it has been found that Spain has remained prone to rare and deep earthquakes because of a capsized tectonic plate beneath the Earth's surface.&nbsp;

As per the seismographic reports, when Africa and Eurasia slowly collided, a piece of the surface of the planet went upside down deep beneath the Mediterranean.&nbsp;

"Since 1954, there have been five closely located large deep‐focus earthquakes with depths greater than 600 kilometres beneath [the Spanish city of] Granada," said geologists Daoyuan Sun from the University of Science and Technology of China as well as Meghan Miller from Australian National University, in a statement.&nbsp;

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<h2>Here's what experts found after examining Spain's 2010 earthquake</h2>

Generally, earthquakes which occur at such deep depths are&nbsp;followed by major aftershocks. However, when seismic data collected from Spain's 2010 earthquake was examined by Sun and Miller, there were no aftershocks found.

When the tectonic plates underneath the surface of the Earth get pushed into each other, they are generally displaced so that one slides beneath the other in a process which is called subduction.&nbsp;

These collisions sometimes destroy the plate's sinking part and raise the crust which creates mountains and interlocks the two plates.

At other times, the wrestling crusts remain separate but stacked as one slab slowly sinks further towards the mantle of Earth.

Watch:&nbsp;Gravitas: Asteroid flew past Earth in near miss

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This is what took place at the border between the African and Eurasian plates where the Mediterranean floor is slowly sinking beneath Europe.

During the 2010 Granada earthquake, the seismic waves lasted unusually long and had an extra phase of activity. This happened because the seismic waves were moving slower and that too at the bottom of the Alboran slab and not the top.

"A significant amount of water has been carried down to the mantle transition zone, indicating a relatively cold slab," said geologists Daoyuan Sun.

"Considering a relatively young seafloor age in the western Mediterranean, for the slab to remain cool, the subduction speed must be quite fast, such as a moderate speed of about 70 millimetres per year," he explained.

(With inputs from agencies)

In a new study, it has been found that Spain has remained prone to rare and deep earthquakes because of a capsized tectonic plate beneath the Earth's surface. As per the seismographic reports, when Africa and Eurasia slowly collided, a piece of the surface of the planet went upside down deep beneath the Mediterranean.

In a new study, it has been found that Spain has remained prone to rare and deep earthquakes because of a capsized tectonic plate beneath the Earth's surface. As per the seismographic reports, when Africa and Eurasia slowly collided, a piece of the surface of the planet went upside down deep beneath the Mediterranean. "Since 1954, there have been five closely located large deep‐focus earthquakes with depths greater than 600 kilometres beneath [the Spanish city of] Granada," said geologists Daoyuan Sun from the University of Science and Technology of China as well as Meghan Miller from Australian National University, in a statement. Also Read: Scientists plan to suck out water from Earth's atmosphere to fight climate change Here's what experts found after examining Spain's 2010 earthquake Generally, earthquakes which occur at such deep depths are followed by major aftershocks. However, when seismic data collected from Spain's 2010 earthquake was examined by Sun and Miller, there were no aftershocks found. When the tectonic plates underneath the surface of the Earth get pushed into each other, they are generally displaced so that one slides beneath the other in a process which is called subduction. These collisions sometimes destroy the plate's sinking part and raise the crust which creates mountains and interlocks the two plates. At other times, the wrestling crusts remain separate but stacked as one slab slowly sinks further towards the mantle of Earth. Watch: Gravitas: Asteroid flew past Earth in near miss This is what took place at the border between the African and Eurasian plates where the Mediterranean floor is slowly sinking beneath Europe. During the 2010 Granada earthquake, the seismic waves lasted unusually long and had an extra phase of activity. This happened because the seismic waves were moving slower and that too at the bottom of the Alboran slab and not the top. "A significant amount of water has been carried down to the mantle transition zone, indicating a relatively cold slab," said geologists Daoyuan Sun. "Considering a relatively young seafloor age in the western Mediterranean, for the slab to remain cool, the subduction speed must be quite fast, such as a moderate speed of about 70 millimetres per year," he explained. (With inputs from agencies)

Spain prone to deep earthquakes due to Earth's crust lying upside down under Mediterranean: Study

Recent research delves into the intricate relationship between Earth's surface water and the outermost layer of its metallic liquid core. According to this research,&nbsp;water transported through tectonic plate subduction zones over billions of years reaches the lower mantle, instigating a significant chemical reaction upon reaching the core-mantle boundary, situated 2,900 kilometres&nbsp;beneath the surface.

This chemical interplay results in the creation of a top core layer enriched in hydrogen, while simultaneously dispatching silica to the lower mantle. Contrary to prior beliefs, the study posits a more extensive material exchange between the core and mantle.

Understanding this process is pivotal, given that the outer core's composition, predominantly iron and nickel, plays a pivotal role in generating Earth's magnetic field. This field acts as a shield, safeguarding the planet from solar winds and radiation.

The findings challenge conventional wisdom, indicating that material exchange between the core and mantle is more dynamic than previously assumed.&nbsp;

"For years, it has been believed that material exchange between Earth's core and mantle is small,"&nbsp;materials scientist Dan Shim from Arizona State University told Science Alert.&nbsp;

"Yet, our recent high-pressure experiments reveal a different story. We found that when water reaches the core-mantle boundary, it reacts with silicon in the core, forming silica," he added.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/real-life-jurassic-world-may-exist-on-other-planets-and-humans-may-detect-them-study-660668">Also read |&nbsp;Dinosaurs might be alive, new study finds, just on some other planet</a>

<h2>What's the mystery of 'E Prime' layer?</h2>

The study proposes that prolonged chemical exchanges between the core and mantle contribute to the formation of the elusive 'E prime' layer, a phenomenon identified but unexplained at the core-mantle boundary.

Laser-heated diamond-anvil cells were employed to simulate the rigorous conditions at the core-mantle boundary. These experiments demonstrated that subducted water undergoes a transformative chemical reaction with core materials, morphing the outer core into a hydrogen-rich film and dispersing silica crystals to the mantle.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/james-webb-telescopes-observations-show-ice-covered-pebbles-delivering-water-to-young-planets-660391">Also read |&nbsp;James Webb telescope's observations show ice-covered pebbles delivering water to young planets</a>

The altered core film results in a less dense and slower seismic speed layer at the core's apex, aligning with seismic wave observations. This revelation challenges preconceived notions and deepens our comprehension of Earth's internal dynamics.

The study's findings suggest a more intricate global water cycle than previously envisioned. The potential repercussions of the altered core film on the deep water cycle highlight the interconnected nature of Earth's internal processes.

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

Recent research delves into the intricate relationship between Earth's surface water and the outermost layer of its metallic liquid core. According to this research, water transported through tectonic plate subduction zones over billions of years reaches the lower mantle, instigating a significant chemical reaction upon reaching the core-mantle boundary, situated 2,900 kilometres beneath the surface.

Recent research delves into the intricate relationship between Earth's surface water and the outermost layer of its metallic liquid core. According to this research, water transported through tectonic plate subduction zones over billions of years reaches the lower mantle, instigating a significant chemical reaction upon reaching the core-mantle boundary, situated 2,900 kilometres beneath the surface. This chemical interplay results in the creation of a top core layer enriched in hydrogen, while simultaneously dispatching silica to the lower mantle. Contrary to prior beliefs, the study posits a more extensive material exchange between the core and mantle. Understanding this process is pivotal, given that the outer core's composition, predominantly iron and nickel, plays a pivotal role in generating Earth's magnetic field. This field acts as a shield, safeguarding the planet from solar winds and radiation. The findings challenge conventional wisdom, indicating that material exchange between the core and mantle is more dynamic than previously assumed. "For years, it has been believed that material exchange between Earth's core and mantle is small," materials scientist Dan Shim from Arizona State University told Science Alert. "Yet, our recent high-pressure experiments reveal a different story. We found that when water reaches the core-mantle boundary, it reacts with silicon in the core, forming silica," he added. Also read | Dinosaurs might be alive, new study finds, just on some other planet What's the mystery of 'E Prime' layer? The study proposes that prolonged chemical exchanges between the core and mantle contribute to the formation of the elusive 'E prime' layer, a phenomenon identified but unexplained at the core-mantle boundary. Laser-heated diamond-anvil cells were employed to simulate the rigorous conditions at the core-mantle boundary. These experiments demonstrated that subducted water undergoes a transformative chemical reaction with core materials, morphing the outer core into a hydrogen-rich film and dispersing silica crystals to the mantle. Also read | James Webb telescope's observations show ice-covered pebbles delivering water to young planets The altered core film results in a less dense and slower seismic speed layer at the core's apex, aligning with seismic wave observations. This revelation challenges preconceived notions and deepens our comprehension of Earth's internal dynamics. The study's findings suggest a more intricate global water cycle than previously envisioned. The potential repercussions of the altered core film on the deep water cycle highlight the interconnected nature of Earth's internal processes. (With inputs from agencies)

A mysterious phenomenon is changing the Earth's core. Here's how

China has started digging a hole in the Earth's crust measuring 10,000 metres (32,808 ft). According to Xinhua news agency, the effort to dig the country's deepest-ever borehole began on Tuesday (30 May) in the Tarim Basin, which is located in the oil-rich Xinjiang province.

But what is the real reason behind&nbsp;the expedition and what could be the challenges ahead?&nbsp;Let us take a deeper look.&nbsp;

<h2>What's the reason behind this activity?</h2>

The project, according to the Xinhua news agency, "represents a landmark in China's deep Earth exploration, providing an unprecedented opportunity to study areas of the planet deep beneath the surface."

According to Bloomberg, earlier in 2021, Chinese President Xi Jinping advocated for advancements in deep earth research when speaking to the country's top experts.

This mission can assist scientists in discovering valuable minerals and energy resources. Furthermore, it can be useful for assessing the risks of environmental calamities, such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, according to the report.

The announcement of this new venture&nbsp;comes just days after the Asian country completed the construction of a 12,000-tonne offshore oil and gas drilling platform to exploit geological deposits of natural gas, according to the website Interesting Engineering.

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Drilling of the deepest-ever hole into the Earth's crust began in northwest <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/China?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#China</a>'s <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Xinjiang?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Xinjiang</a> Uygur Autonomous Region on Tuesday with a depth of more than 10,000 meters. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ChinaInspires?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ChinaInspires</a> <a href="https://t.co/GxgWzsf26y">pic.twitter.com/GxgWzsf26y</a>
— CGTN (@CGTNOfficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/CGTNOfficial/status/1664146003287744513?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 1, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Notably, demand for petrol and jet fuel has surged in China after the repeal of the zero-COVID-19 policy in December. According to Reuters, Beijing is expected to import a record amount of crude oil this year due to high demand.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/on-elon-musks-china-trip-us-presidential-candidate-vivek-ramaswamy-has-this-to-say-stst-599174">On Elon Musk's China trip, US Presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has this to say</a>

<h2>How will the drilling take place?</h2>

As reported by the&nbsp;Xinhua news agency, the drill has a design depth of 11,100 metres. According to the article, the 2,000-tonne heavy machinery would drill into the earth, penetrating through ten continental strata - or layers of rock.

The drilling also intends to reach the Cretaceous system, which has rocks reaching back 145 million years, according to Bloomberg,

<h2>What are the challenges ahead?</h2>

The borehole is being constructed in the Tarim Basin, which, according to Britannica, is a large depression drained by the Tarim River.

The Taklimakan Desert, China's biggest desert, is located in the midst of this basin and covers 342,000 square kilometres.

According to Xinhua news agency, the borehole is located in the desert's interior.

Drilling such a deep hole into the Earth's crust will not be easy due to the "harsh ground environment and complicated underground conditions" in the Tarim Basin.

Sun Jinsheng, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Engineering, told Xinhua news agency about the project's difficulties: "The construction difficulty of the drilling project can be compared to the difficulty of building a house."

<h2>Will it be the deepest hole ever?</h2>

Even though digging a 10-kilometre hole is ambitious, it is not the deepest human-made hole on Earth.

The deepest man-made hole on earth is the Russian Kola Superdeep Borehole which took almost 20 years to drill.&nbsp;The hole had been drilled past 12,000 metres in 1989 but the process was then reportedly stopped for about one year due to various scientific and celebratory visits to the site.

The drilling operation began in 1970, and the borehole was completed in 1989 at a depth of 12,262 metres (40,230 ft).

As per a&nbsp;BBC report, the operation had to be halted in 1992 when the temperature hit 180 degree Celsius (356F), which was double the predicted mercury at that depth.

The laboratory was closed down three years later due to the collapse of the Soviet Union and a lack of funds for such exploratory programmes, according to the article.

Americans began Project Mohole in the early 1960s, with the goal of drilling through the Earth's crust to reach and investigate the mantle. They excavated the Pacific Ocean floor near Guadalupe, Mexico. However, after reaching 183 metres below the seafloor, the project was cancelled because of rising expenses.

Germany also attempted Earth exploration in 1990 with the German Continental Deep Drilling Programme (KTB) in Bavaria, which reached a depth of nine&nbsp;kilometres. This project, too, was eventually shut down.

Also watch |&nbsp;India and China hold in-person diplomatic talks in New Delhi

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In the words of Uli Harms of the International Continental Scientific Drilling Programme, "Continuing these expeditions requires a significant amount of money."

“In the end, it really is a cost issue. These expeditions are extremely expensive – and therefore they are difficult to repeat. They can cost hundreds of millions of euros – and only a small percentage will actually be for the earth sciences, the rest will be for technological development, and of course, operations.”

The day when all of these obstacles are overcome and mankind may eventually explore the Earth's mantle still seems far away. Scientists, on the other hand, are optimistic.

(With inputs from agencies)

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China has started digging a hole in the Earth's crust measuring 10,000 metres (32,808 ft). According to Xinhua news agency, the effort to dig the country's deepest-ever borehole began on Tuesday (30 May) in the Tarim Basin, which is located in the oil-rich Xinjiang province.

China has started digging a hole in the Earth's crust measuring 10,000 metres (32,808 ft). According to Xinhua news agency, the effort to dig the country's deepest-ever borehole began on Tuesday (30 May) in the Tarim Basin, which is located in the oil-rich Xinjiang province. But what is the real reason behind the expedition and what could be the challenges ahead? Let us take a deeper look. What's the reason behind this activity? The project, according to the Xinhua news agency, "represents a landmark in China's deep Earth exploration, providing an unprecedented opportunity to study areas of the planet deep beneath the surface." According to Bloomberg, earlier in 2021, Chinese President Xi Jinping advocated for advancements in deep earth research when speaking to the country's top experts. This mission can assist scientists in discovering valuable minerals and energy resources. Furthermore, it can be useful for assessing the risks of environmental calamities, such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, according to the report. The announcement of this new venture comes just days after the Asian country completed the construction of a 12,000-tonne offshore oil and gas drilling platform to exploit geological deposits of natural gas, according to the website Interesting Engineering. Drilling of the deepest-ever hole into the Earth's crust began in northwest #China's #Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Tuesday with a depth of more than 10,000 meters. #ChinaInspires pic.twitter.com/GxgWzsf26y — CGTN (@CGTNOfficial) June 1, 2023 × Notably, demand for petrol and jet fuel has surged in China after the repeal of the zero-COVID-19 policy in December. According to Reuters, Beijing is expected to import a record amount of crude oil this year due to high demand. Also read | On Elon Musk's China trip, US Presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has this to say How will the drilling take place? As reported by the Xinhua news agency, the drill has a design depth of 11,100 metres. According to the article, the 2,000-tonne heavy machinery would drill into the earth, penetrating through ten continental strata - or layers of rock. The drilling also intends to reach the Cretaceous system, which has rocks reaching back 145 million years, according to Bloomberg, What are the challenges ahead? The borehole is being constructed in the Tarim Basin, which, according to Britannica, is a large depression drained by the Tarim River. The Taklimakan Desert, China's biggest desert, is located in the midst of this basin and covers 342,000 square kilometres. According to Xinhua news agency, the borehole is located in the desert's interior. Drilling such a deep hole into the Earth's crust will not be easy due to the "harsh ground environment and complicated underground conditions" in the Tarim Basin. Sun Jinsheng, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Engineering, told Xinhua news agency about the project's difficulties: "The construction difficulty of the drilling project can be compared to the difficulty of building a house." Will it be the deepest hole ever? Even though digging a 10-kilometre hole is ambitious, it is not the deepest human-made hole on Earth. The deepest man-made hole on earth is the Russian Kola Superdeep Borehole which took almost 20 years to drill. The hole had been drilled past 12,000 metres in 1989 but the process was then reportedly stopped for about one year due to various scientific and celebratory visits to the site. The drilling operation began in 1970, and the borehole was completed in 1989 at a depth of 12,262 metres (40,230 ft). As per a BBC report, the operation had to be halted in 1992 when the temperature hit 180 degree Celsius (356F), which was double the predicted mercury at that depth. The laboratory was closed down three years later due to the collapse of the Soviet Union and a lack of funds for such exploratory programmes, according to the article. Americans began Project Mohole in the early 1960s, with the goal of drilling through the Earth's crust to reach and investigate the mantle. They excavated the Pacific Ocean floor near Guadalupe, Mexico. However, after reaching 183 metres below the seafloor, the project was cancelled because of rising expenses. Germany also attempted Earth exploration in 1990 with the German Continental Deep Drilling Programme (KTB) in Bavaria, which reached a depth of nine kilometres. This project, too, was eventually shut down. Also watch | India and China hold in-person diplomatic talks in New Delhi In the words of Uli Harms of the International Continental Scientific Drilling Programme, "Continuing these expeditions requires a significant amount of money." “In the end, it really is a cost issue. These expeditions are extremely expensive – and therefore they are difficult to repeat. They can cost hundreds of millions of euros – and only a small percentage will actually be for the earth sciences, the rest will be for technological development, and of course, operations.” The day when all of these obstacles are overcome and mankind may eventually explore the Earth's mantle still seems far away. Scientists, on the other hand, are optimistic. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Explained: China is drilling its deepest-ever borehole in the Earth's crust. Here's why

Chinese scientists have started drilling a 10,000-metre (32,808 feet) hole into the crust of the Earth, as the second largest economy of the world is exploring new frontiers not just above but below the surface of the planet. 
 
China has started drilling to create what will be the deepest borehole ever made in the country. The drilling started in the oil-rich Tarim Basin, in northwest China's Xinjiang region on Tuesday, reported the official Xinhua News Agency. 
 
The operation kicked off at 11:46 am on Tuesday. The construction of the borehole is a landmark event in the deep-Earth exploration of China, providing the nation with an unprecedented opportunity to study areas of Earth which are deep beneath the surface. 
 
The borehole is being constructed in the hinterland of the Taklimakan Desert, which is China's largest desert.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/china-enhancing-its-air-power-along-lac-reveal-new-satellite-images-599013">China enhances air power along Line of Actual Control, reveal satellite images</a>

Earlier on Tuesday morning, for the first time, China's civilian astronaut was sent into space from the Gobi Desert.

<h2>Narrow shaft to reach&nbsp;cretaceous system in Earth's crust</h2>

The narrow shaft which is being constructed inside the ground, along with the drill bits and drill pipes which weigh more than 2,000 tonnes, will reach the cretaceous system in the Earth's crust after penetrating more than 10 layers of rocks or continental strata, as per the report. 
 
The cretaceous system of the Earth features rock that date back some 145 million years. 
 
Technical expert Wang Chunsheng, who recently joined the operation, stated that drilling a borehole which is more than 10,000 metres deep is a bold step to explore the Earth's unknown territory and enhance the boundaries of human understanding. 
 
"The construction difficulty of the drilling project can be compared to a big truck driving on two thin steel cables," said Sun Jinsheng, a scientist at the Chinese Academy of Engineering, while speaking to Xinhua. 
 
The Tarim Basin, where the borehole is being constructed, is one of the toughest areas to explore because of its harsh ground environment along with complicated underground conditions.

WATCH |&nbsp;China: Xi Jinping warns state security becoming complex, says 'more security challenges lie ahead'

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While addressing the leading scientists of the nation in 2021, President Xi Jinping in his speech had called for greater progress in the exploration of deep Earth. 
 
Such explorations help in identifying mineral and energy resources and assessing the risks of environmental disasters, like volcano eruptions and earthquakes. 
 
The Earth's deepest man-made hole is the Russian Kola Superdeep Borehole, which was drilled for 20 years to reach a depth of 12,262 metres (40,230 feet) in 1989. 
 
According to a BBC report, the Kola Superdeep Borehole is so deep that locals claim one can hear the moans of souls who get tortured in hell.

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Chinese scientists have started drilling a 10,000-metre (32,808 feet) hole into the crust of the Earth, as the second largest economy of the world is exploring new frontiers not just above but below the surface of the planet.

Chinese scientists have started drilling a 10,000-metre (32,808 feet) hole into the crust of the Earth, as the second largest economy of the world is exploring new frontiers not just above but below the surface of the planet. China has started drilling to create what will be the deepest borehole ever made in the country. The drilling started in the oil-rich Tarim Basin, in northwest China's Xinjiang region on Tuesday, reported the official Xinhua News Agency. The operation kicked off at 11:46 am on Tuesday. The construction of the borehole is a landmark event in the deep-Earth exploration of China, providing the nation with an unprecedented opportunity to study areas of Earth which are deep beneath the surface. The borehole is being constructed in the hinterland of the Taklimakan Desert, which is China's largest desert. ALSO READ | China enhances air power along Line of Actual Control, reveal satellite images Earlier on Tuesday morning, for the first time, China's civilian astronaut was sent into space from the Gobi Desert. Narrow shaft to reach cretaceous system in Earth's crust The narrow shaft which is being constructed inside the ground, along with the drill bits and drill pipes which weigh more than 2,000 tonnes, will reach the cretaceous system in the Earth's crust after penetrating more than 10 layers of rocks or continental strata, as per the report. The cretaceous system of the Earth features rock that date back some 145 million years. Technical expert Wang Chunsheng, who recently joined the operation, stated that drilling a borehole which is more than 10,000 metres deep is a bold step to explore the Earth's unknown territory and enhance the boundaries of human understanding. "The construction difficulty of the drilling project can be compared to a big truck driving on two thin steel cables," said Sun Jinsheng, a scientist at the Chinese Academy of Engineering, while speaking to Xinhua. The Tarim Basin, where the borehole is being constructed, is one of the toughest areas to explore because of its harsh ground environment along with complicated underground conditions. WATCH | China: Xi Jinping warns state security becoming complex, says 'more security challenges lie ahead' While addressing the leading scientists of the nation in 2021, President Xi Jinping in his speech had called for greater progress in the exploration of deep Earth. Such explorations help in identifying mineral and energy resources and assessing the risks of environmental disasters, like volcano eruptions and earthquakes. The Earth's deepest man-made hole is the Russian Kola Superdeep Borehole, which was drilled for 20 years to reach a depth of 12,262 metres (40,230 feet) in 1989. According to a BBC report, the Kola Superdeep Borehole is so deep that locals claim one can hear the moans of souls who get tortured in hell. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

China drilling 10,000-metre deep hole into Earth's crust. Here's why

It is often a crazy fact to wrap one's head around that we live on a planet with a solid upper layer, beneath which is a molten-liquid core, reaching thousands of degrees in temperature.

It is often a crazy fact to wrap one's head around that we live on a planet with a solid upper layer, beneath which is a molten-liquid core, reaching thousands of degrees in temperature. However, what lies at the very centre of Earth's solid, metallic core is a mystery that has puzzled scientists over the years. According to new research published in the journal Nature Communications on Tuesday, it has been posited that our planet has a distinct ball of iron within its metallic core. The study states that the newly-detected centre is a 644-kilometre-wide ball of metal with the composition of iron-nickel alloy. The fact that this ball had not been detected previously could be attributed to the simple fact that its outer layer is also composed of a similar iron-nickel alloy with trace amounts of other elements. WATCH | Most of the Earth's water is underground? × With the Earth's core impossibly hot, it is difficult to reach anywhere near it. Thus, scientists use seismology to gauge what lies in the innards of our home planet. After any earthquake seismic waves travel across the Earth, changing their path and orientation when passing through different materials. This allows the geophysicists to decipher what lies at Earth's rather mysterious core. The scientists involved in the study used a similar process to ascertain their findings. “In this study, for the first time, we report observations of seismic waves originating from powerful earthquakes traveling back and forth from one side of the globe to the other up to five times like a ricochet,” said Dr Thanh-Son Phạm, one of the coauthors of the study. “Additionally, the transition from the innermost (solid) ball to the outer shell of the inner core (also solid shell) seems rather gradational than sharp, That is why we cannot observe it via direct reflections of seismic waves from it.” Read more: Earth's inner core might have stopped and changed direction: Check out what happens now! The discovery of an inner layer is expected to widen the horizon of scientists and their understanding of Earth's magnetic field and how it has evolved over centuries and will continue to do so in the coming future. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

What lies at the centre of Earth's core? Scientists answer THIS age-old question

Earth's inner core&nbsp;has always had a pace of its own. Surprisingly, scientists have known about the unusual behaviour since the mid-1990s. However, a recent study revealed that Earth's inner core has stopped spinning and might change its original direction of motion. A study published in Nature Geoscience stated that the internal core rotation of our planet recently paused after geoscientists analysed the motion pattern. In 2009, the movement stopped suddenly and started moving in the opposite direction. Earth's inner core moves in relative motion with the speed of Earth like a swing, and one cycle of the swing is about seven decades, geoscientists told AFP. Previously, it switched paths in the early 1970s. According to the prediction by researchers from China's Peking University, the successive motion would be in the 2040s.&nbsp;

Our planet earth consists of three layers, crust, core and mantle. The Earth's core again divides into two, the inner and outer. Let's look deeper into the Earth's inner core to understand what's happening.

<h2>What is Earth's inner core?</h2>

In 1936, scientists discovered it while analysing the waves that travel through the planet during an earthquake. About 7,000 kilometres wide, it is made up of a shell of liquid iron wrapping a solid centre of the iron.&nbsp;

A study in 1996 revealed that the travelling speed of seismic waves through the Earth's inner core demonstrated a periodic variation over the last three decades. The rotation rate grew faster by 1 degree per year than the mantle and crust.&nbsp;

<h2>What will happen due to directional change in Earth's inner core?</h2>

According to the researchers, the core's rotation directly connects to a day's length, Earth's rotation, and Earth's mantle and crust. They have also cited evidence of gravitational coupling that led to dynamic interactions between all three layers of Earth. However, no evidence shows that the directional change in Earth's inner core has affected the routine lives of people.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-wait-what--sea-spiders-can-regrow-not-just-limbs-but-these-amputated-body-parts-too-555434">Wait, what? Sea spiders can regrow not just limbs, but these amputated body parts too</a>

Earth's inner core has always had a pace of its own. Surprisingly, scientists have known about the unusual behaviour since the mid-1990s. However, a recent study revealed that Earth's inner core has stopped spinning and might change its original direction of motion.

Earth's inner core has always had a pace of its own. Surprisingly, scientists have known about the unusual behaviour since the mid-1990s. However, a recent study revealed that Earth's inner core has stopped spinning and might change its original direction of motion. A study published in Nature Geoscience stated that the internal core rotation of our planet recently paused after geoscientists analysed the motion pattern. In 2009, the movement stopped suddenly and started moving in the opposite direction. Earth's inner core moves in relative motion with the speed of Earth like a swing, and one cycle of the swing is about seven decades, geoscientists told AFP. Previously, it switched paths in the early 1970s. According to the prediction by researchers from China's Peking University, the successive motion would be in the 2040s. Our planet earth consists of three layers, crust, core and mantle. The Earth's core again divides into two, the inner and outer. Let's look deeper into the Earth's inner core to understand what's happening. What is Earth's inner core? In 1936, scientists discovered it while analysing the waves that travel through the planet during an earthquake. About 7,000 kilometres wide, it is made up of a shell of liquid iron wrapping a solid centre of the iron. A study in 1996 revealed that the travelling speed of seismic waves through the Earth's inner core demonstrated a periodic variation over the last three decades. The rotation rate grew faster by 1 degree per year than the mantle and crust. What will happen due to directional change in Earth's inner core? According to the researchers, the core's rotation directly connects to a day's length, Earth's rotation, and Earth's mantle and crust. They have also cited evidence of gravitational coupling that led to dynamic interactions between all three layers of Earth. However, no evidence shows that the directional change in Earth's inner core has affected the routine lives of people. ALSO READ | Wait, what? Sea spiders can regrow not just limbs, but these amputated body parts too

Earth's inner core might have stopped and changed direction: Check out what happens now!

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