Friday, May 2, 2014

Does the Earth have a Secret Reservoir?

Scientists have announced that they have found a mineral called ringwoodite in the area of the Earth known as the transition zone which lies between the upper and lower mantles. This zone lies 250-375 miles under the surface of the earth. Ringwoodite is a mineral that is often found in water. The rock itself is 1.5% water molecules.

Scientists have speculated that the presence of ringwoodite means a large reservoir under the surface of the earth. According to scientists, this reservoir could hold more water than the Earth's oceans combined.

The studies revealing the ringwoodite in the transition zone stems from 2008 when miners in Brazil discovered a brown diamond. The ringwoodite was found in the middle of this brown diamond. This was the first instance of ringwoodite found naturally in the Earth. Prior to this discovery, ringwoodite had only been found on meteorites that have fallen to Earth's surface.

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