Scientists are shocked after discovering hidden mountains on Earth, which are 100 times taller than Mount Everest, defying expectations.
Recently, scientists made an astonishing discovery about our planet.
They found enormous mountains hidden deep beneath the Earth’s surface.
These peaks are said to be over 100 times taller than Mount Everest, the highest mountain on Earth, which stands at 8,848 meters (29,029 feet).
Scientists uncover hidden mountains towering 100 times higher than Everest
The researchers from Utrecht University uncovered these secret mountains in a study focused on Earth’s geology.
They discovered two massive structures that rise about 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) high.
This is an incredible height compared to any mountain we see on the surface.
The study suggests that these mountains are located around 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles) below the Earth’s crust.
These hidden peaks are believed to be very old, possibly dating back over 500 million years.
Some scientists think they could even be as old as four billion years, which would make them a significant part of Earth’s history.
What are these mountains?
The scientists explained that these mountains are found at the boundary between the Earth’s core and mantle.
This area is semi-solid and lies beneath the crust, particularly under regions like Africa and the Pacific Ocean.
The researchers refer to these peaks as “islands” due to their massive size and unique characteristics.
Lead scientist Dr. Arwen Deuss stated that nobody knows exactly what these formations are.
She mentioned that they could either be temporary structures or have existed for millions or billions of years.
This uncertainty adds to the intrigue of their discovery.
The science behind the discovery
The researchers used seismic waves from earthquakes to learn more about what lies beneath the Earth’s surface.
When an earthquake occurs, shockwaves travel through the Earth.
These waves can change speed and sound differently depending on the materials they pass through.
By studying how these waves behave, scientists can create a map of what is below.
They found that in two major areas of the mantle, known as Large Low Seismic Velocity Provinces (LLSVPs), the shockwaves slowed down significantly.
This slowdown indicates that these regions are hotter and denser than their surroundings.
Dr. Deuss explained that the waves have a difficult time traveling through hot areas, much like how it is harder to run on a hot day.
The importance of the findings
This discovery challenges previous beliefs about the Earth’s mantle.
Scientists once thought that the mantle was constantly moving and mixing due to convection currents.
However, the existence of these ancient mountains suggests that some structures may have remained unchanged for billions of years.
This finding could change how we understand the Earth’s geology and history.
Dr. Sujania Talavera-Soza, a co-researcher, noted that the lack of damping in the seismic waves passing through the LLSVPs indicates that these mountains are made of larger mineral grains.
This means they absorb less energy from the waves, allowing the sound to travel more clearly.
Future research
The discovery of these hidden mountains opens up many questions.
Scientists are eager to conduct more studies to understand their composition and how they fit into the Earth’s geological history.
They want to learn if these structures have influenced the planet’s development over millions of years.
The research team is also interested in the implications of these findings for understanding earthquakes and other geological events.
By studying these hidden mountains, scientists may gain insight into the processes that shape our planet.