A piece of seafloor that began sinking into Earth's mantle approximately 250 million years ago has been discovered, at least its fingerprints have. Scientists say they have found a "fossilised fingerprint" of the chunk of seafloor hiding under the Pacific Ocean.

A study has found that the fingerprint matches a slab of Earth's crust that started going down at the beginning of the age of dinosaurs (252 million to 66 million years ago).

It was once a part of the seafloor in the southeastern Pacific. Experts are hoping to solve the mystery of a strange gap in the lowermost sections of the mantle by learning more about the latest discovery.&nbsp;

The findings were published on Sep 27 in the journal Science Advances.

"It's giving us a glimpse into Earth's past that we've never had before," Jingchuan Wang, study lead author, a seismologist and postdoctoral associate at the University of Maryland, said in a statement.

The slab currently sits between the upper and lower mantle, in the mantle transition zone stretching between 410 to 660 kilometres deep beneath the Earth's surface. This zone expands and contracts owing to heat currents, researchers said in the statement.

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<h2>Exploration happened near Easter Island</h2>

The discovery was made when the researchers were exploring the mantle beneath the East Pacific Rise. This region is a mid-ocean ridge located 3,200 km off the coast of South America. &nbsp;

Seismic waves were used to examine the types of rock beneath the seafloor, after which a digital cross-section of Earth's crust and mantle was created. They noticed an unusually thick mantle transition zone beneath a portion of the East Pacific Rise around 350 km east of Easter Island. "This thickened area is like a fossilised fingerprint of an ancient piece of seafloor that subducted into the Earth," Wang said.

Subduction occurs after a collision between two tectonic plates, after which one dives beneath the other. The resulting material usually disintegrates in the mantle and turns into magma owing to high temperatures. However, the researchers say the newly discovered slab somehow escaped that fate.

"Usually, oceanic slabs of material are consumed by the Earth completely," Wang said.

A subducting plate would travel a lot faster through the mantle than what happened with this piece of slab, according to the statement. Wang said that this suggests the mantle transition zone can act as a viscous barrier and slow the movement of sinking material.

"This is just the beginning," Wang said. "We believe that there are many more ancient structures waiting to be discovered in Earth's deep interior."

A piece of seafloor that began sinking into Earth's mantle approximately 250 million years ago has been discovered, at least its fingerprints have. Scientists say they have found a "fossilised fingerprint" of the chunk of seafloor hiding under the Pacific Ocean.

A piece of seafloor that began sinking into Earth's mantle approximately 250 million years ago has been discovered, at least its fingerprints have. Scientists say they have found a "fossilised fingerprint" of the chunk of seafloor hiding under the Pacific Ocean. A study has found that the fingerprint matches a slab of Earth's crust that started going down at the beginning of the age of dinosaurs (252 million to 66 million years ago). It was once a part of the seafloor in the southeastern Pacific. Experts are hoping to solve the mystery of a strange gap in the lowermost sections of the mantle by learning more about the latest discovery. The findings were published on Sep 27 in the journal Science Advances. "It's giving us a glimpse into Earth's past that we've never had before," Jingchuan Wang, study lead author, a seismologist and postdoctoral associate at the University of Maryland, said in a statement. The slab currently sits between the upper and lower mantle, in the mantle transition zone stretching between 410 to 660 kilometres deep beneath the Earth's surface. This zone expands and contracts owing to heat currents, researchers said in the statement. Also Read: Star circling two other stars that orbit each other shatters a 70-year-old record Exploration happened near Easter Island The discovery was made when the researchers were exploring the mantle beneath the East Pacific Rise. This region is a mid-ocean ridge located 3,200 km off the coast of South America. Seismic waves were used to examine the types of rock beneath the seafloor, after which a digital cross-section of Earth's crust and mantle was created. They noticed an unusually thick mantle transition zone beneath a portion of the East Pacific Rise around 350 km east of Easter Island. "This thickened area is like a fossilised fingerprint of an ancient piece of seafloor that subducted into the Earth," Wang said. Subduction occurs after a collision between two tectonic plates, after which one dives beneath the other. The resulting material usually disintegrates in the mantle and turns into magma owing to high temperatures. However, the researchers say the newly discovered slab somehow escaped that fate. "Usually, oceanic slabs of material are consumed by the Earth completely," Wang said. A subducting plate would travel a lot faster through the mantle than what happened with this piece of slab, according to the statement. Wang said that this suggests the mantle transition zone can act as a viscous barrier and slow the movement of sinking material. "This is just the beginning," Wang said. "We believe that there are many more ancient structures waiting to be discovered in Earth's deep interior."

Chunk of seafloor lost during age of dinosaurs found hiding under Pacific

In Pics | Most remote places on Earth

Chile's Easter Island is famous for monolithic human figures called Moai statues. These statues were specifically carved to honour chieftain or other important people who have passed away but now several burnt Moai statues have become a symbol of growing tensions in the island.

WION Climate Tracker: Chile's Easter Island witnesses clash of culture

A&nbsp;forest fire that ravaged a portion of Easter Island has damaged several of its enormous Moai carved stone statues.&nbsp;

The ancient site apparently suffered "irreparable" damage as the fire spread over the Rapa Nui national park, 3,500 kilometres (2,175 miles) off the west coast of Chile.

The Rano Raraku sector, which comprises the wetland and Moai sector, was devastated to a greater extent than 100 hectares (247 acres), according to a statement posted on the national park's official Facebook page on Thursday.&nbsp;

Carolina Perez, cultural heritage undersecretary, reported that since Monday, flames have completely destroyed the island, which is located 3,500 kilometres (2,175 miles) off the west coast of Chile.

More than 1,000 stone sculptures, including enormous heads, may be found in Rapa Nui. These statues are thought to have been created by the island's ancient occupants as early as the 13th century. According to reports, the Rano Raraku volcanic region, a Unesco world heritage site, was most impacted.&nbsp;

The quarry where the stone used to carve the sculptures is mined is there, along with an estimated several hundred Moai.&nbsp;

The Ma'u Henua community's director for administration and upkeep of the park, Ariki Tepano, called the damage "irreparable."

Prior to the epidemic, Easter Island, where tourism is the primary source of income, welcomed 160,000 tourists annually via two daily flights.&nbsp;

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But once Covid-19 arrived in Chile, all tourist activities were halted.&nbsp;

Before Chile acquired the island in 1888, Polynesians had long lived there. The monuments, which previously served as a focal point for communities and were connected to ceremonial activities, are believed to depict the living ancestors of Easter Island's Polynesian inhabitants.

(with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

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A forest fire that ravaged a portion of Easter Island has damaged several of its enormous Moai carved stone statues. The ancient site apparently suffered "irreparable" damage as the fire spread over the Rapa Nui national park, 3,500 kilometres (2,175 miles) off the west coast of Chile.

A forest fire that ravaged a portion of Easter Island has damaged several of its enormous Moai carved stone statues. The ancient site apparently suffered "irreparable" damage as the fire spread over the Rapa Nui national park, 3,500 kilometres (2,175 miles) off the west coast of Chile. The Rano Raraku sector, which comprises the wetland and Moai sector, was devastated to a greater extent than 100 hectares (247 acres), according to a statement posted on the national park's official Facebook page on Thursday. Carolina Perez, cultural heritage undersecretary, reported that since Monday, flames have completely destroyed the island, which is located 3,500 kilometres (2,175 miles) off the west coast of Chile. More than 1,000 stone sculptures, including enormous heads, may be found in Rapa Nui. These statues are thought to have been created by the island's ancient occupants as early as the 13th century. According to reports, the Rano Raraku volcanic region, a Unesco world heritage site, was most impacted. The quarry where the stone used to carve the sculptures is mined is there, along with an estimated several hundred Moai. The Ma'u Henua community's director for administration and upkeep of the park, Ariki Tepano, called the damage "irreparable." Prior to the epidemic, Easter Island, where tourism is the primary source of income, welcomed 160,000 tourists annually via two daily flights. Also Read: Data Lab | India’s Supreme Court gives nod to abortion, regardless of marital status But once Covid-19 arrived in Chile, all tourist activities were halted. Before Chile acquired the island in 1888, Polynesians had long lived there. The monuments, which previously served as a focal point for communities and were connected to ceremonial activities, are believed to depict the living ancestors of Easter Island's Polynesian inhabitants. (with inputs from agencies)

Famous Moai statues 'irreparably' damaged due to Easter Island fire

A huge "Moai" statue, one of the iconic stone monuments from Easter Island, began its journey back home on Monday (February 21) following a years-long campaign to get it returned to its original setting since it was housed in a museum in Santiago in the 19th century.

Easter Island ‘Moai’ stone statue is homebound, 150 years after being housed in Santiago

Easter Island 'Moai' stone statue begins long journey home

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