Key Takeaways:
- New research suggests that Earth might contain remnants of an ancient Mars-sized rogue planet called Theia within its mantle.
- Scientists believe the same impact that formed the Moon may have left traces in Earth’s interior.
- Recent findings propose that mysterious dense spots in Earth’s interior are pieces of Theia that remain intact.
- These dense regions, known as Large Low Shear Velocity provinces (LLSVPs), are continent-sized and lie beneath West Africa and the Pacific Ocean.
- Understanding the origin and persistence of these dense materials could advance our knowledge of Earth’s geological history and its connection to the Moon.
Beneath the Earth’s surface, hidden deep within its core, there might be a remarkable secret waiting to be unveiled. Recent research has ignited speculation that Earth carries remnants of an ancient, Mars-sized rogue planet known as Theia. It’s a theory that could rewrite our understanding of Earth’s formation and its cosmic connections.
Scientists have long theorized that Earth and the Moon share a cataclysmic past, originating from a colossal impact event. However, for the first time, researchers are delving deep into Earth’s mantle to investigate the specific traces of this dramatic cosmic clash. The implications are tantalizing, as this revelation could reveal that chunks of Theia, the mythical Mars-sized visitor, are still entombed within our planet.
The hypothesis traces its roots back to 2016 when UCLA researchers suggested that Earth might have formed from the fusion of two separate planets—Theia and Earth. At the time, it was believed that the two planets had seamlessly merged. However, new findings by Qian Yuan and his team from Arizona State University propose an intriguing alternative: the dense spots concealed within Earth’s interior could be the very remnants of Theia that have endured over billions of years.
During the 52nd Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, Yuan’s team unveiled their findings. They posited that Theia’s mantle may be inherently denser than Earth’s, allowing these materials to accumulate in specific areas within Earth’s lowermost mantle. These areas are now referred to as “continent-sized Large Low Shear Velocity provinces (LLSVPs),” and they play a pivotal role in unraveling this cosmic enigma.
To substantiate their claim, the Arizona State scientists meticulously identified portions of Earth’s interior and modeled the process by which these fragments may have plunged into the young Earth, sinking deep into its core. Their models support the notion that these alien remnants make up around 3-15% of the 2D model domain, mirroring the present-day LLSVPs’ volume.
One intriguing aspect of this research is how Theia’s materials have managed to remain intact for billions of years. This phenomenon is intricately tied to Earth’s mantle dynamics, where convection circulates materials based on their temperature and density. The Theia materials, being exceptionally dense, sank and never returned to the convection zone, much like dust accumulating in a hard-to-reach corner.
Understanding the origin and persistence of these dense mantle portions beneath Earth’s surface could lead to groundbreaking advancements in Earth science. These continent-sized regions are situated beneath West Africa and the Pacific Ocean, with thicknesses reaching hundreds of miles, offering a unique opportunity to delve into Earth’s geological history.
Moreover, this discovery opens up the potential for intriguing parallels between these dense mantle portions and the Moon. Both may share an origin story rooted in the same celestial event. Comparing a 4.5-billion-year-old rock sample that has orbited in space with another that has submerged deep within the Earth presents a scientific dream come true. It is an opportunity to uncover the mysteries of Earth’s past and its cosmic connections, a journey into the alien world beneath us.
