Produced by: Mohsin Shaikh
Scientists recently confirmed an astonishing discovery: a massive ocean lies 400 miles beneath Earth’s crust, stored within a mineral called ringwoodite. This “hidden ocean” holds water in a form unlike liquid, solid, or gas—a fourth state, absorbed into the rock’s unique structure.
Geophysicist Steve Jacobsen estimates that if ringwoodite contains even 1% water, the hidden ocean would hold three times more water than all Earth’s surface oceans combined. This means a vast reservoir of water exists below us, potentially reshaping our understanding of Earth’s water cycle.
Ringwoodite, a mineral with a crystal structure that attracts hydrogen, acts like a sponge, storing water within its lattice. Jacobsen explains, “This mineral can contain a lot of water under conditions of the deep mantle,” making it a unique water-storing rock.
According to the study “Dehydration Melting at the Top of the Lower Mantle” (2014), this discovery suggests a “whole-Earth water cycle,” with water moving not only between surface and atmosphere but also deep within Earth. Jacobsen believes this could explain why our planet has so much surface water.
Scientists discovered this hidden water reservoir while studying earthquake shockwaves. Seismometers detected anomalies indicating that shockwaves were moving through water-filled rock deep underground, revealing the surprising extent of Earth’s subsurface water.
Beyond Earth, scientists are also observing a black hole aimed directly at our planet. While it poses no immediate threat, its intense gravitational pull is pointing straight at us, offering a unique, if unsettling, glimpse into cosmic phenomena.
Meanwhile, a massive hole was recently discovered on the sun’s surface. Known as a “coronal hole,” this phenomenon releases intense solar wind, which can impact Earth’s magnetosphere, occasionally causing disruptions in satellite communications and power grids.
Adding to recent discoveries, researchers located a “lost continent” that had gone missing for 375 years. This landmass, submerged and forgotten, redefines our understanding of ancient Earth’s geography and tectonic activity.
Scientists exploring volcanic crust with underwater robots recently uncovered a completely new ecosystem. This hidden biosphere suggests Earth’s depths hold many more secrets, including undiscovered forms of life that thrive in extreme conditions.