Archive · 10 Nov 2025
Deep Fracture in Earth's Mantle Observed Under India
Imagine the Earth's surface is like a giant puzzle made of big pieces called tectonic plates.
India has a very big piece that has been pushing into another piece called Eurasia for millions of years, creating mountains like the Himalayas.
Scientists used to think India's piece was just sliding under the other one.
But a new study found something surprising!
It seems the bottom, heavier part of India's piece is breaking off and sinking down into the Earth's hot interior, like peeling off a layer from something.
They discovered this by listening to earthquake vibrations and finding special gases that came up from deep inside the Earth.
This new discovery helps us understand how these giant puzzle pieces move and shape our planet.
A study presented at the 2023 American Geophysical Union conference reveals a deep fracture in Earth's mantle under India.
The lower part of the Indian tectonic plate is unexpectedly peeling off and sinking into the mantle, a process called delamination.
This occurs beneath Tibet, as the Indian and Eurasian plates continue their millions-of-years-old collision that formed the Himalayas.
Evidence for this phenomenon includes unusual earthquake wave patterns and helium isotopes found in Tibetan springs.
Researchers used seismic data from 94 stations to model the delamination, suggesting the plate is breaking apart under Tibet rather than as a single block.
- Who
- Geologists and researchers
- What
- Observed a deep fracture in Earth's mantle where the lower part of the Indian tectonic plate is peeling off and sinking.
- When
- Study presented at the 2023 American Geophysical Union conference; collision began 60 million years ago.
- Where
- Under Tibet, related to the Indian tectonic plate's interaction with the Eurasian plate.
- Why
- To understand the geological process and tectonic interaction between the Indian and Eurasian plates, which was previously not fully understood.
Previous Understanding
New Study Findings
Indian Plate Movement
Previous Understanding
The Indian plate was believed to be sliding beneath the Eurasian plate.
New Study Findings
The lower part of the Indian plate is peeling off and sinking into the mantle (delamination).
- Event
- Delamination of the lower Indian plate
- Location
- Under Tibet, associated with the Indian tectonic plate
- Time of Collision
- Started 60 million years ago and continues
- Evidence Used
- Earthquake wave patterns, helium isotopes in Tibetan springs, seismic data from 94 stations
- Study Presented At
- 2023 American Geophysical Union conference