# A Hidden Ocean Beneath Our Feet: New Insights into Earth's Water
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Chapter 1: Theories of Earth's Water Origins
For a long time, researchers and astronomers have speculated that Earth's water was delivered by massive icy comets crashing into the planet during its early formation. In the nascent solar system, collisions with comets, meteors, and asteroids were frequent events, leading some to believe that these impacts introduced water from outer space to our terrestrial home. Given that no other nearby celestial bodies show evidence of water, this theory has intrigued many. However, an alternative hypothesis has emerged that is equally captivating.
Emerging data suggests the presence of water situated deep beneath the Earth's surface, approximately 250 miles down. This water is not found in easily accessible aquifers but is instead hidden away in the mantle. Some scientists have begun referring to this concealed water as an "ocean," although this description may not fully capture the reality of its existence.
Section 1.1: Water in the Earth's Mantle
The Earth's surface is referred to as the crust, while the layer beneath it is the mantle, composed of molten rock and unusual crystalline materials. Traditionally, it was believed that liquid water could only exist within the Earth's crust due to the extreme heat and pressure of the mantle. However, this assumption has been proven incorrect.
Researchers at Northwestern University have employed seismic wave analysis to investigate Earth's interior. By utilizing sensitive instruments to detect the shockwaves generated by earthquakes, they have identified a significant reservoir of water deep beneath the surface. These seismic waves travel slower through water compared to solid materials, allowing scientists to determine the presence of a substantial underground water source. The notable reduction in seismic wave speed indicates a significant amount of water in this region.
How much water could be down there? Estimates suggest it could be over three times the volume of all the water currently found in Earth's oceans.
The first video, "A Hidden Ocean Beneath Our Feet!" explores these intriguing findings and what they mean for our understanding of Earth's water supply.
Section 1.2: The Nature of the Underground Water
The concept of an ocean lying beneath the Earth's crust conjures images of a vast body of water contained within a colossal cavern, reminiscent of a journey to the Earth's center. However, the reality is quite different; this water is not free-flowing but is actually bound within rocks, much like how natural gas and oil can be trapped in solid formations on the crust.
This subterranean water is primarily stored in a type of rock known as ringwoodite.
Subsection 1.2.1: Understanding Ringwoodite
If you're unfamiliar with ringwoodite, you're not alone. This unique rock forms under high-pressure conditions and is found exclusively within the Earth's mantle. Its existence was only confirmed after a sample was discovered in a meteorite in Australia, as humans have never drilled deep enough to reach the mantle. Geologists believe that ringwoodite is abundant in the mantle due to the extreme conditions present.
This rock contains water that was encapsulated during its formation under high pressure. Many of these formations are crystalline, and a significant portion of the water exists as hydroxide trapped within these crystals.
Laboratory synthesis of ringwoodite has shown that it can hold about 2.6% of its weight in water or hydroxide. Using this figure, scientists can estimate the vast quantities of water potentially stored within these mantle deposits, leading to the conclusion that a substantial amount of water exists beneath our feet.
Chapter 2: Implications and Conclusions
The more we uncover about the deep ocean and the hidden layers beneath our feet, the more mysterious it becomes. In fact, we might have a better understanding of outer space than we do of our planet's interior, particularly the depths of the mantle. Often, scientists must rely on hypothetical interpretations based on data from earthquakes and deep scans, as we have barely scratched the surface of Earth's crust.
It is likely that an immense volume of water is trapped within the mantle, hidden from view, and stored within rocks. The total volume of this water could exceed the combined volume of all the world's oceans—multiplied by three. This suggests that Earth's water did not arrive from outer space but has most likely been present since the planet's formation.
This revelation resonates with the biblical reference in Genesis, which hints at the existence of such water deep within the Earth: "On that day all the springs of the great deep burst forth."
The second video, "A Massive Ocean Under Our Feet?" delves into these astonishing discoveries and their implications for our understanding of water on Earth.
