Produced by: Mohsin Shaikh
Superplumes are massive, mysterious structures near Earth’s core, influencing volcanoes, tectonics, and even the magnetic field.
One theory suggests superplumes could be leftovers from Theia, the Mars-sized protoplanet that formed the Moon after colliding with Earth.
Another idea proposes that they are dense piles of ancient continents, dragged into the mantle by sinking tectonic plates.
Superplumes aren’t static—they churn and fuel volcanic hotspots, possibly causing major eruptions and island formation.
Scientists believe these deep structures may be messing with Earth's molten core, contributing to magnetic pole reversals.
Earth’s magnetic field has weakened by 16% since 1840—a trend linked to superplume activity beneath Africa and the Pacific.
A full magnetic pole reversal could scramble GPS systems, disrupt satellites, and expose Earth to dangerous cosmic radiation.
Superplumes move at the pace of growing fingernails, but their influence on Earth’s geology and magnetism is immense.
Using seismic tomography, scientists are mapping these structures to unlock Earth’s deep secrets and predict future shifts.