A geological study presents evidence of a massive water reserve in the Earth's mantle, at about 700 km depth. The water is contained in the mineral structure of ringwoodite, a blue-colored rock. This discovery suggests that the origin of water on our planet may have been internal, not external from comet impacts.
Seismology and Spectroscopy That Revealed the Deep Aquifer 🔍
The researchers did not drill to that depth. They analyzed seismic waves that, when slowing down as they passed through specific zones of the mantle, suggested the presence of hydrated material. Then, they studied volcanic origin ringwoodite samples with spectroscopy, confirming that its crystalline structure can retain up to 1.5% water. The combination of geophysical and mineralogical data was key.
Plan to Open the First Spa at 700 km: "Mantle Fresh Water" 💎
With this finding, there are already those speculating about commercial exploitation. A startup announces plans to bottle primordial ringwoodite water, promising extreme purity for having been isolated since the planet's formation. The only drawback is the round trip, which requires traversing solid rock and withstanding temperatures that melt steel. The label extracted with care at 700 km will be a detail.