9 months ago
Giant rock layer discovered beneath Bermuda
Scientists have found a huge layer of rock deep under the ocean near Bermuda.
This layer is about 20 kilometers thick and is different from what is usually found under the ocean.
Normally, the ocean floor is made of crust that sits directly on top of the mantle.
But under Bermuda, there is an extra layer of rock in between.
This layer might be left over from when Bermuda was formed by volcanoes millions of years ago.
The rock could be keeping the seafloor elevated even though the volcanoes are no longer active.
Some scientists think this rock might have special chemicals that come from a very old part of the Earth's mantle.
They are now checking if other islands have similar hidden layers.
This discovery helps us understand more about how the Earth's surface is shaped.
Scientists discovered a 20-kilometre-thick rock layer beneath Bermuda's oceanic crust.
This layer is unusually thick and light, wedged between the crust and mantle.
The formation may be a relic of Bermuda's volcanic past, acting like a geological raft.
Bermuda's lavas have a unique chemical composition, suggesting a deep and ancient mantle source.
The discovery raises questions about whether similar structures exist beneath other islands.
- Who
- Scientists led by William Frazer and Jeffrey Park
- What
- Discovered a massive rock layer beneath Bermuda
- Where
- Beneath the oceanic crust under Bermuda
- When
- The study was published in Geophysical Research Letters
- Why
- To investigate the cause of Bermuda's elevated seafloor
Key facts
- Location
- Bermuda
- Depth
- Beneath the oceanic crust
- Thickness
- 20 kilometres
- Discovery Method
- Seismic data analysis
- Study Authors
- William Frazer and Jeffrey Park
- Publication
- Geophysical Research Letters
- Unique Feature
- Unusual chemical composition of lavas
- Geological Significance
- Potential relic of volcanic past
Quotes
William Frazer
Seismologist at Carnegie Science in Washington, DC, and lead author of the study.
“Normally, you expect a clean transition from the oceanic crust into the mantle. Under Bermuda, there’s this extra layer that simply shouldn’t be there.”
indianexpress.com
“This leftover material could be what’s keeping Bermuda elevated. It’s a fossil of the island’s violent beginnings.”
indianexpress.com
Sarah Mazza
Geologist at Smith College, not involved in the study.
“The fact that this region was once at the heart of a supercontinent is probably key to why Bermuda is so unusual.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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