Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Muskan Arora
New research findings have suggests that a celestial body named Theia collided with Earth in the distant past, triggering a transformative event that resulted in the formation of the Moon and left distinct geological marks on our planet.
Scientists hypothesize that Theia, a planetary object lost from our solar system, collided with Earth during its early formation stages, setting in motion a series of events that shaped the geological landscape of both bodies.
The collision between Earth and Theia is believed to have led to the formation of the Moon, with debris from the impact coalescing to form our celestial satellite.
Recent studies, detailed in publications 'Nature', have identified intriguing anomalies known as large low-velocity provinces within Earth's lower mantle. These structures are theorized to contain remnants of Theia's materials, offering valuable insights into the ancient collision.
The presence of large low-velocity provinces in Earth's mantle suggests that portions of Theia's composition survived the collision and became integrated into Earth's interior.
Advanced computer simulations have been conducted to model the dynamics of the collision between Earth and Theia. These simulations corroborate the hypothesis that materials from Theia were introduced into Earth's lower mantle during the impact event.
Ongoing debates persist among scientists regarding the precise nature of the collision dynamics between Earth and Theia. While some researchers propose a scenario involving a direct head-on collision, others suggest a more glancing, sideswipe scenario.
Future research endeavours aim to further explore the geological and compositional signatures of Theia within Earth's mantle and lunar rocks. By analysing these materials, scientists seek to unravel the complexities of the ancient collision and its profound implications for planetary evolution.