Earth’s Mantle Could Be Harbouring Ocean of Magma Formed Billions of Years Ago 1b6ev Claims Study

A study published on March 26 revealed a deep magma ocean formation beneath the Earth’s surface billions of years ago. kg4o

Written by Gadgets 360 Staff | Updated: 17 April 2025 19:58 IST

Earth’s Mantle Could Be Harbouring Ocean of Magma Formed Billions of Years Ago, Claims Study

Photo Credit: ESA/Hubble, M. Kornmesser 4j6w3b

The historic formation of a deep magma ocean at the core-mantle boundary can impact the Earth today.

Highlights

The ancient Earth formed a deep magma ocean at the core-mantle boundary
The study reveals the molten layer forming tectonic activity with therm
LLVPs may be ancient remains of this old magma ocean

ment

A new study published on March 26 in the Nature journal revealed that the magma ocean formation near Earth's core started around 4.4 billion years ago. It might be impacting the Earth today as odd mantle anomalies. Discoveries suggest that Earth inevitably sheltered a deep basal magma believed to have existed at the boundary between the mantle and core. This helped the scientists explain the baffling structure of the mantle, such as the Large Low-Velocity (LLVPS) discovered with the help of seismic imaging. This event has played a crucial role in Earth's shape with thermal and tectonic evolution.

Discovery and Implications 133e66

Assistant Professor Charles-Édouard Boukaré of magma oceans could affect thermal communication between the mantle and core, further affecting the tectonic plates' location.

A new model proposed by his team combines geochemical and seismic data to help researchers explore how early crystallisation could lead to the persistent molten layer formed deep inside the planet. Boukaré, James Badro, and Henri Samuel are d with the French Research Institutions and played a major role in the study published in the Nature journal.

Io's Volcano Mystery Solved: No Global Magma Ocean Found

Formation of Basal Magma Ocean 5k4w3a

The team discovered that the magma ocean formation is inevitable, irrespective of the direction of Earth's mantle solidification, either from core to surface or vice versa. In each case, the new Earth model proposes that dense iron oxide-rich solids sank near the Earth's core and remelted (iron has a low melting point) due to the high temperature and pressure conditions, causing a permanent ocean of magma. Boukaré emphasised that a basal melt would be formed despite the least conducive scenarios.

Lasting Effects and Geological Memory 3i2e41

This study shows that the deep magma ocean left a lasting imprint on the interior of Earth around a few hundred million years ago. In a statement given to the publication, Boukaré said that there is a memory, explaining that Earth's internal structure was shaped very early in the past and still plays a significant role in bringing geological processes such as tectonic movement and mantle convection. Dating back around 4.4 billion years, LLVPS may be the remnants of this ancient primordial layer.

Looking to Other Planets 1y2il

Boukaré is seeking to expand the model with further trace elements and practice it on other planets made of rocks. He said that maybe this basal magma ocean event is not so unique to the Earth. This research could open new doors into comprehending the planetary formation across the solar system.

Earth’s Oceans May Turn Green Again Due to Climate Change

Antarctic Ice Melt Weakens Strongest Ocean Current, Disrupting Global Circulation

Comments

For the latest reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.